Aymen Hussein scored Iraq’s second World Cup goal in history on Tuesday, but his debut ended in a 4-1 loss to Norway. The goal came after he had spent several hours in US customs in Chicago earlier this month, then fought through 90 minutes in a match that also brought a late own goal.
Amir Alammari delivered the cross, and Hussein headed it past diving goalkeeper Orjan Nyland after the ball bounced under his hand. It was the kind of finish Iraq had been waiting for across a tournament stretch that carries extra weight: this was Iraq’s second World Cup and its first in 40 years.
Hussein’s header and the reply
Erling Haaland put Norway ahead in the 29th minute, setting the tone before Hussein provided Iraq’s best moment. Graham Arnold said he was “very proud” of the striker and noted that Hussein had “quite a few injures during the season” but still got through 90 minutes.
Arnold added, “He’s the type of player that’s very difficult to control in the box. I’m very proud of him.” He also said, “I’d rather remember his performance and the way he’s played,” a line that fit a night where one goal mattered more than the final score for Iraq’s record book.
Chicago delay before Tuesday
The customs delay in Chicago came earlier this month, when Hussein and another member of the team’s traveling party were held for several hours. That episode hovered over his tournament debut because it put his availability in doubt before he even reached the field.
Arnold said the team’s experience leading up to Tuesday’s match had been positive, and he also praised the first 65-70 minutes. Iraq got a landmark goal from one of its main attacking pieces, then had to absorb the gap between that moment and the damage Norway kept adding.
France in Philadelphia on Monday
Hussein Ali called it “a proud moment for him” and added, “But, of course, the end result, it’s hard to celebrate a goal like that. But we’re on to the next game.” Iraq now shifts to France in Philadelphia on Monday, with the challenge moving quickly from one historic touchpoint to the next.
Arnold said the team should learn lessons from the mistakes against Norway, and that is the practical takeaway from a debut that delivered a rare scoring place in Iraq’s World Cup history while also leaving a 4-1 defeat and a late own goal on the final line.
