Erling Haaland struck his first World Cup goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday in their first game at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes in Boston, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level.

Haaland pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goals tally at international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up victory. Norway got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

No team endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifier in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

Hussein, scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was then held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the City star was quick to deliver on that promise.

Antonio Nusa’s trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all their of group games on their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

Amir Al-Ammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they giftwrapped Haaland’s second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly-hit backpass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland’s shin and ricocheting into the net.

Iraq again responded well, with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling an effort wide and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard’s corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland nonetheless had a hand in Norway’s late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

AFP

Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria.

On a magical night at Kansas City’s 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals.

The 38-year-old had started an unforgettable occasion — his 200th international appearance — by claiming a piece of history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he led Argentina onto the field for what would become a one-sided Group J clash.

Messi, who first played in the World Cup as a teenager during the 2006 finals in Germany, then emphatically stamped his class over proceedings with a memorable hat-trick — the first of his World Cup career.

A 17th-minute curling strike took his World Cup goals tally to 14, putting him alongside German legend Gerd Muller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings.

He then moved one clear of Muller and Mbappe to join Brazilian great Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute after pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot to make it 2-0.

He joined Germany’s Klose on 16 goals in the 76th minute, sweeping in a low finish from the edge of the area before departing to deafening applause and a standing ovation from an adoring crowd four minutes later.

Argentina defeated France in an epic 2022 World Cup final in Doha, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw that saw Les Bleus striker Mbappe score a hat-trick.

– Mbappe off the mark –

France — who could meet Argentina in the final again this year if seedings follow the form book — launched their tournament on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal, with Mbappe scoring twice to suggest he is more than ready to deliver another big World Cup.

“There are still people out there who will criticise him, but he is an extraordinary player,” France coach Didier Deschamps said of Mbappe. “Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment.”

Mbappe’s double against the Senegalese also saw him overtake Olivier Giroud as France’s leading goalscorer with 58 goals from 99 games.

“I am really pleased for him. He didn’t score in the warm-up friendly games, but to break the record at the World Cup gives it more impact,” Deschamps added.

Another potent scorer, Erling Haaland, marked his first World Cup finals appearance with two goals in a 4-1 romp against Iraq in France’s Group I.

The Manchester City striker pounced from close range on 29 minutes in Foxborough, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level before Haaland capitalised on an Iraqi defensive error to put Norway ahead again before half-time. He took his international goals tally to 57 in just 51 matches.

Substitute Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway, and they got a fourth deep in stoppage time through a Hussein own goal to secure three points in their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.

Haaland’s goalscoring World Cup debut left Norway coach Stale Solbakken purring with satisfaction.

“You could see that he adapted to the occasion; the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” said Solbakken.

“I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.”

In the late game on Tuesday, World Cup debutants Jordan face Austria in Santa Clara, California in Group J.

AFP

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Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has singled out Japan’s Zion Suzuki for special praise after the 23-year-old produced a commanding display to help the Asian side claim a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F opener at the Dallas Stadium, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Speaking during his halftime analysis on SuperSport, Akpeyi said Suzuki’s performance vindicated the Japan coaching staff’s decision to pick him ahead of more experienced options in the squad.

“I want to give credit to the goalkeeper. This tells why he was chosen in goal ahead of the older ones on the bench because he has been able to concentrate on the game,” Akpeyi said.

“So far, he has been alert and waiting to see the loose balls with strong hands as well. It tells that he has been able to keep his team in the game.”

Born to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother, Suzuki, who made four important saves throughout the match, was indeed central to Japan’s resilience.

His sharp stop to deny Donyell Malen within minutes of kick-off set the tone, and he remained composed and well-positioned throughout a physically demanding encounter against a Dutch attack with considerable quality.

Japan twice came from behind to earn their point. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a towering header before Keito Nakamura levelled with a powerful effort into the bottom corner. Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands’ lead with a whipped finish, only for Daichi Kamada to snatch a dramatic equaliser in the 89th minute.

Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen endured a difficult evening at the other end, earning a player rating of just three out of ten from Sports Mole after palming a tame effort into his own top corner for Japan’s late equaliser — a moment that stood in sharp contrast to Suzuki’s composed performance down the other end.

Ryan Gravenberch was the pick of the Dutch outfield players, earning an eight out of ten for an all-round midfield display that included the assists for both Netherlands goals.

The result left Group F finely poised, with Japan second behind leaders Sweden after the opening round of fixtures.

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