Norway beat Iraq 4-1 at the World Cup, and Aymen Hussein found himself on both sides of the scoreline. He scored Iraq's goal, then got the final touch on Norway's fourth after Kristian Thorstvedt's header, with the goal officially ruled an own goal.
The result mattered immediately because Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals, while Leo Ostigard also scored as Norway moved through a game that looked settled long before the final whistle. Norway's victory left it top of Group I on goal difference after France beat Senegal 3-1 earlier, a reminder that the opening round can reshape a group as quickly as one lopsided result can.
For Hussein, the night carried a strange kind of history. His goal was Iraq's second World Cup goal in their history, a milestone that would normally stand out on its own. Instead, it was followed by the kind of twist that only football can produce: the same player who had given Iraq hope later helped turn the game firmly Norway's way.
That was the part Iraq could not quite absorb. Graham Arnold said his side had two more games to go and that the players had done exceptionally well, but he added that a couple of mistakes had hurt them badly. He also called it a special night for Iraq despite the loss, which is the clearest sign of where the team now stands: beaten, but not broken, and still early enough in the tournament to recover.
Norway's edge came from quality where it counts most. Ellen White said the quality of Norway shone through in the end, while Steph Houghton said Norway's class in the box made the difference and that Haaland had a hand in all four goals. Hussein's strange double role was the most unusual detail of the night, but the broader picture was plain enough: Norway were more decisive, and Iraq now have to turn one awkward opening into something better with two games still to play.
