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FOXBOROUGH — In the 20th minute with Norway preparing for a corner kick from the left side, Iraq’s Zaid Ismael knew Erling Haaland was about to make a move. He eventually maneuvered to free himself for a scoring chance. The Iraqi defender was just trying to stay close enough so he would be able to react when it happened.
Using a teammate as a pick, Haaland tiptoed at half speed around one teammate and then through traffic toward the far post and then stepped on the gas, just enough.
He peeled off, faded backward just a little to give himself a runway. As the ball sailed toward him, Haaand took a hard step and leapt to head the ball, as Norway fans stood and held their breath in anticipation.
The Norwegian fanbase as pictured on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Gillette Stadium during the Norway vs Iraq soccer game.
The Iraqi fanbase as pictured on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Gillette Stadium during the Norway vs Iraq soccer game.
Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh goes up against Norway's Erling Haaland during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Gillette Stadium.
Erling Haaland celebrates a goal against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Gillette Stadium.
Norway's Ørjan Nyland as pictured during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Norway's Martin Ødegaard holds his head after a narrow miss on Iraq's goal during a World Cup match at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates a goal during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxobough.
Norway's Martin Ødegaard as pictured during a World Cup match against Iraq at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Foxborough.
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates a goal during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxobough.
Norway's Alexander Sørloth as pictured during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Norway's Alexander Sørloth as pictured during a World Cup match against Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Norway's Sander Berge as pictured during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh as pictured during a World Cup match against Norway on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh goes up against Norway's Erling Haaland during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Iraq's Aymen Hussein and Norway's Kristoffer Ajer as pictured during a World Cup match at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh and Norway's Fredrik Aursnes as pictured during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Norway's Erling Haaland seen celebrating a goal against Iraq during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Norway's Julian Ryerson hits a free kick during a World Cup match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Norway's Torbjørn Heggem and Iraq's Aymen Hussein as seen during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Iraq's Aymen Hussein as pictured during a World Cup match against Norway on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Iraq's Aymen Hussein as pictured during a World Cup match on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 against Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Iraq's Ali Al-Hamadi as pictured during a World Cup match against Norway on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Norway and Iraq on June 16, 2026 at Gillette Stadium.
Norwegians have been eagerly anticipating a moment just like this. They now have arguably the best striker in the world, who has led them to the World Cup. They’ve dreamed about what he might do, holding off defenders in the air on set pieces in key points of the tournament and here he was about to take off.
But the ball hit too much of the top of his head and it sailed high, floating harmlessly over the net. The storybook beginning would have to wait.
But not very long.
Nine minutes later with Norway attacking in transition, David Møller Wolfe eyed Haaland moving toward the goal and sent a cross from the left side of the box toward the far post.
Haaland timed his slide perfectly and redirected the ball into the net with his right foot to give Norway the lead.
“The World Cup meets Erling Haaland, a man who was made for a stage like this,” FOX’s Ian Crocker shouted on the TV broadcast.
After Iraq tied the game in the 39th minute, Haaland answered. His second goal was more a mistake by Iraqi goalie Jalal Hassan, who was too nonchalant about gathering the pass sent back to him from his defense. But Haaland pursued an opportunity where many would have assumed one didn’t exist.
He charged the net and got the ball a split second before the goalie did. He kicked it off Hassan’s leg. The ball bounced right back to him and it caromed off his left leg into the net.
It’s easy to look at his hulking build and underestimate Haaland’s speed. He’s not quite Kylian Mbappe fast, but he’s speedier than he looks and faster than Hassan was ready for.
For Norway supporters, Haaland is a reason to hope for a deep run in the tournament. For fans of soccer he is a reason to buy a ticket. Both left Gillette Stadium happy on Tuesday.
Some soccer stars, whose efficiency and positioning make the challenging plays they execute look routine, aren’t properly appreciated by novice soccer viewers.
Haaland is not burdened by underappreciation, nor fazed by considerable attention. His father Alfie played for Fulham in England’s Premier League and his mother was a heptathlete. Athletic success is not only in his genes but something that he watched as a child. It’s not something to be marveled at but expected.
There’s very little that’s subtle about his game. At 6-foot-5, with a huge muscular wingspan and a face that always seems to be lit by sunlight, even first-time viewers see him and know that guy must be pretty good.
Haaland is not one of those nifty, tap-dancing stars, who moves like a drum solo in tight spaces. He is a powerhouse.
He’s turned his power into 57 career Champions League goals in 58 games. He has three Premier League Golden Boots and has 57 goals in 51 games for Norway.
And his athletic peak is still in front of him.
But even if he never gets better, the current version of Erling Haaland is already a superstar.
Iraqi coach Graham Brown sure thought so.
“He’s just an amazing No. 9 isn’t he?,” said Brown in signature Australian accent. “I just wanted to say ‘You’re pretty much one of the best No. 9s I’ve ever seen.’ He’s up there with the best obviously. He’s so strong. He’s just lethal. I wanted to congratulate him.”
More World Cup 2026 Coverage
- Aymen Hussein scores second-ever World Cup goal for Iraq in first match since 1986
- Two of the World Cup’s most explosive goal scorers on a collision course in Foxborough
- World Cup 2026: Norway coach expresses frustration with Gillette Stadium grass
- World Cup 2026: Erling Haaland’s brace leads Norway over Iraq
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