BOSTON.- After 28 years of absence, Norway returned this Tuesday to World with a 4-1 victory against Iraq hand in hand with his star Erling Haalandwho scored a double in his World Cup baptism and was a figure of the match.
The selection led by Stale Solbakken confirmed the expectations of reaching the World Cup with a generation considered the best in its history and got off to a good start in Group I in a tournament to which it had not been invited since France 1998.
With a stadium of Boston Crowded mostly by Norwegian fans, the Red Vikings gave a coup of authority thanks to a Haaland touched by the Scandinavian gods, who scored a double with the philosophy of not giving up any ball lost.
At minute 29, the “Android” swept to catch a cross ball and make it his first World Cup goal.
When the party seemed dyed red, the Iraqi team partially tied with a superb header from the experienced striker. Aymen Hussein (39).
Equality only managed to awaken the giant again. In a routine outing for the Iraqi team, the goalkeeper Jalal Hasan He received a pass that fell short before the eyes of Haaland who pressured the clearance and converted it into a goal (43′).
“I’m incredibly proud to be taking part in the World Cup and to help deliver Norway’s first victory in 28 years,” Haaland said.
Known for being a goal-scoring machine, Haaland has just won his third Golden Boot of the Premier League in four seasons with the Manchester City and he scored 57 goals in 51 games with the Norwegian team.
An ambitious return
In the second half, Norway confirmed its collective and offensive power with outstanding performances from the midfielder Martin Odegaardof the Arsenal English, and the dangerous forward of the Atlético de Madrid, Alexander Sorloth.
The 3-1 score was scored with a header by the defender Genoa, Leo Ostigardat minute 76′, and on the verge of the end came the fourth, from Hussein against, after a bubble in the area (90+6).
The Scandinavian team had arrived in North America after a brilliant qualification, in which they left out Italyand against Iraq he once again showed why he is in the orbit of the European teams with the greatest potential for growth.
Although it had quality passages, Iraq barely disturbed the goal of Orjan Nylanddespite the leadership of Hussein, the playoff hero who returned the country to a World Cup four decades after Mexico 1986.
The action in Group I had started earlier with the victory of France 3-1 against Senegal.
On the second day, the Blues will face Iraq on Monday in Philadelphiawhile the Red Vikings will face each other in East Rutherford to the Senegalese.
