Norway, back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, overpowered Iraq 4–1 in Foxborough. Erling Braut Haaland marked his long-awaited World Cup debut with two goals — off just 11 touches, the fewest of any player on the pitch — the first Norwegian man to score twice in a single World Cup match, drawing level with Kjetil Rekdal's national record of six. After a generation away, the Norwegians made their return count.

The numbers track the scoreline honestly: Norway controlled the ball (61% possession) and the chances (12 shots, 5 on target, 2.52 xG to Iraq's 0.80), and converted ruthlessly with four goals from a clinical 5 shots on target. Iraq's single goal was a genuine over-performance of their 0.80 xG — Aymen Hussein's 39th-minute header was effectively their only real opening, and he later capped a miserable day by turning the ball into his own net at 90+6. With Haaland's brace anchoring the away xG and no red cards to distort the shot counts, this was simply a more efficient side punishing a limited opponent rather than a smash-and-grab.