18/06/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JUNE 18, 2026 28 E RLING HAALAND scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway marked their return to major tournament football with a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq in their Group I opener yesterday. The Manchester City striker lived up to the billing in Boston, helping Norway claim their first World Cup win since 1998 and immediately underlining their credentials as potential dark horses in the expanded 48-team tournament. Haaland’s goals took his astonishing interna tional tally to 57 in just 51 appearances and left Norway level on three points with France, who defeated Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. Norway coach Stale Solbakken had predicted before the tournament that Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the prolific forward wasted little time proving him right. “You could see that he adapted to the occa sion, the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” Solbakken said after the match. “I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.” Norway, appearing at their first major tourna ment since Euro 2000 and their first World Cup since 1998, dominated possession from the outset but initially struggled to break down a disciplined Iraqi defence. The breakthrough finally came in the 29th minute thanks to the trickery of Antonio Nusa. The winger burst clear down the left before releas

Haaland double powers Norway

sive error sent him through on goal, only for Jalal to make a fine save. The striker still had a hand in Norway’s fourth goal deep into stoppage time. His looping header back across goal deflected off Aymen and trickled over the line for an own goal. Afterwards Haaland admitted the occasion had been a special one. “I’m incredibly proud to participate at the World Cup and to help win the first game for Norway in 28 years,” he said. For Norway, the victory represents another sig nificant step forward for a talented generation led by Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Solbakken, who played in Norway’s famous 2-1 victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup, has repeatedly spoken of his belief that this group can surpass the achievements of previous Norwegian teams. The challenge now becomes even greater, with a heavyweight Vikings make winning return with 4-1 win over Iraq

net, restoring Norway’s lead. It was a cruel blow for Iraq after an encourag ing first-half display. “The boys did very well in the first half, but a couple of mistakes hurt us badly in the second half,” said Iraq coach Arnold. Even after falling behind, Iraq continued to create opportunities. Ibrahim Bayesh was denied by a desperate Norwegian block, Ali Al-Hamadi dragged an effort narrowly wide and defender Akam Hashim nearly produced one of the goals of the tournament with a thunderous volley that flew just over the crossbar. However, Norway’s greater quality eventually told. Substitute Leo Ostigard made an immediate impact when he rose to head home Martin Odegaard’s corner in the 76th minute, effectively ending Iraqi hopes of a comeback.

ing David Moller Wolfe, whose low cross was turned in from close range by Haaland. The goal sparked celebrations among thou sands of Norwegian supporters who had travelled to Massachusetts to witness the country’s long awaited return to football’s biggest stage. Iraq, however, refused to be intimidated. The Asian side, making their first World Cup appearance in 40 years, levelled 10 minutes later when Amir Al-Ammari delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area and captain Aymen Hussein rose highest to send a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. For a spell Iraq looked capable of causing an upset. Aymen’s goal energised Graham Arnold’s side and they increasingly threatened on the counter-attack. But a moment of self-inflicted damage proved costly. Just before halftime goalkeeper Jalal Hassan hesitated after receiving a softly-hit backpass. As he attempted to clear the danger, the ball struck the pressing Haaland and ricocheted into the

showdown against France awaiting in New Jersey on June 22. – AFP/Agencies

Haaland then came close to completing a hattrick after another defen

Arnold urges Lions of Mesopotamia to stay positive

also advance.

IRAQ COACH Graham Arnold insisted his side must not lose heart after a 4-1 defeat to Norway in their opening World Cup match, saying there were plenty of positives to take from the perform ance despite the heavy scoreline. Iraq, appearing at their first World Cup in 40 years, briefly levelled through Aymen Hussein after Erling Haaland had opened the scoring for Norway. However, a costly defen sive mistake allowed Haaland to restore Norway’s lead before half-time and the Europeans pulled away in the second half. Arnold felt the contest was far more competitive than the final score suggested and praised his players for the pressure they put on the Norwegians. “We put good pressure on Norway,” the Australian coach said. “But a couple of mis takes against players at this level will always punish you. So we need to learn lessons from our mistakes.” He identified Norway’s sec ond goal as the turning point. Haaland capitalised on a weak back pass to goal keeper Jalal Hassan, and admitted the error affected his players psychologically. “It really probably hurt the players mentally,” Arnold said. “I tried to pick them up and say it’s the past, and we’ve got to get over it.” Despite opening their Group I campaign with a defeat, Arnold stressed that qualification for the knockout rounds remains achievable under the expanded 48-team World Cup format, where some third-placed teams

“We’re in a group phase, there’s nine points available,” he said. “We’ve got to take all the positives out of today and get ourselves ready for the next game. “There is still the opportu nity for third spot. Three points should be enough to get you through.” Arnold was particularly encouraged by the display of striker Aymen, who has endured an injury-hit season but led Iraq’s attack with energy and determination, scoring their equaliser before suffering the misfor tune of a late own goal. “For him to get through 90 minutes with that energy that he had, of course scoring the goal was fantastic,” Arnold said. The coach also called on Iraqi supporters to remain behind the team as they pre pare for an even tougher challenge against France in their second group match. “Be proud of the players,” Arnold said. “Keep support ing the boys and stay happy.” Before the tournament Arnold had said the Lions of Mesopotamia had “every thing to gain and nothing to lose” and wanted his players to “try to shock the world” after navigating a gruelling qualification campaign to reach the finals for the first time since 1986. While Norway’s star striker Haaland stole the headlines with two goals on his World Cup debut, Arnold believes Iraq showed enough against one of Europe’s most dan gerous teams to remain opti mistic about their chances of progressing from the group. – Agencies

Austria’s Marko Arnautovic (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring the third goal during the Group J match against Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in California yesterday. – AFPPIC

Austria earn WC win against debutants Jordan AUSTRIA COACH Ralf Rangnick admitted his side were pushed hard by World Cup debutants Jordan after securing a 3-1 vic tory in their Group J opener yes pressure, before veteran striker Marko Arnautovic converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the three points. ball rather than simply a defeat. “The players can hold their heads high,” Jamal said. “The result does not reflect our per formance. We played with courage and showed our quali ties.”

Rangnick acknowledged that Jordan had made life difficult for his side. “Jordan played a very good game. We knew beforehand that they are a good team and they showed that today,” Rangnick said after the match. “It was not an easy game for us at all. They caused us prob lems, especially when they won the ball and attacked quickly.” The Austria coach was relieved to see his team come through a testing opening assignment and praised the impact of his substitutes, includ ing Arnautovic, whose introduc tion helped swing the momen tum back in Austria’s favour. For Jordan, the result was dis appointing but their perform ance earned widespread praise after an energetic and fearless World Cup debut. Jamal insisted the occasion should be remembered as a positive step for Jordanian foot

terday, while Jordan coach Jamal Sellami said his team could leave the pitch with their heads held high despite defeat. Austria marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a hard-fought win at Levi’s Stadium, but the score line did not fully reflect the con test as Jordan matched their more experienced opponents for long periods. Romano Schmid fired Austria ahead with a stunning long range strike before Jordan pro duced a historic moment early in the second half. Ali Olwan scored the first World Cup goal in Jordan’s his tory, cutting inside and curling a superb effort beyond goal keeper Alexander Schlager and in off the post. Austria eventually regained the lead in the 76th minute when defender Yazan al-Arab turned the ball into his own net under

Jamal also pointed to the dif ference in depth between the two squads, noting Austria’s wealth of top-level European talent. He suggested the absence of injured striker Yazan Al-Naimat was keenly felt and may have altered the outcome. Despite leaving empty handed, Jordan’s display offered encouragement ahead of their crucial second group match against Algeria, while Austria now face a much sterner challenge against Argentina. The victory leaves Austria level on three points with Argentina at the top of Group J, while Jordan will look to build on an impressive first World Cup showing as they chase the first points in their nation’s tourna ment history. – Reuters/Agencies