Haaland Strikes in 28th Minute as Norway Leads Iraq — Norway Fifa
Norway fifa took control in the 28th minute when Erling Haaland slid the ball past Hassan after Møller Wolfe crossed it. Norway led Iraq from that moment in a World Cup 2026 live match that had already moved quickly through a press-heavy opening.
The goal came after Norway had allegedly completed 130 of 148 passes by the 28th minute. That kind of control mattered because Iraq had not been allowed much time on the ball before Haaland finished the move.
Haaland and Møller Wolfe
Møller Wolfe provided the service, and Haaland did the rest. He tapped the ball past Hassan after a lazy backpass to the keeper, turning a loose moment into the first decisive action of the match.
Norway’s lead did not settle the game for long. Iraq had a bright response in the 31st minute, but the chance was squandered, and Haaland was soon laughing and talking with an Iraqi player while waiting for a corner kick in the 33rd minute.
Norway Press in the 37th
The pressure kept building. A foul was given on the corner in the 34th minute, Norway went long again in the 36th and the ball went out of play, then the press won possession back in the 37th minute before Ødegaard dragged a shot wide.
That sequence showed Norway’s control without turning it into comfort. The margin stayed thin, and Iraq kept enough space to punish a mistake.
Hussein Puts Iraq Level
Iraq made that threat real in the 43rd minute. Jasim squared up one-on-one against Ryerson and lofted the ball in, and Hussein headed it past Nyland to pull Iraq level.
Justin Kavanagh added a different kind of memory from the same footballing country’s past, saying he had a ticket for the goalless draw against Jack Charlton’s team at Giants Stadium in 1994, sold it, went to see Brazil instead, and never regretted it. Late in the match, the referee planned to add five minutes of stoppage time, which left both teams with time to force a winner after a first half built on one finish, one equalizer, and a narrow balance of play.
