The national teams of Iraq and Norway played a brilliant match at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, but the class of the team from Europe ultimately affected the final score.
It is noted that the first goal was scored in the 29th minute, when Erling Haaland completed David Meller's pass to Wolfe. However, Iraq quickly restored the balance - Ayman Hussein, after a cross from Amir Al-Ammari, leveled the score 1:1 with a spectacular header.
However, even before the break, the Asian team made a serious mistake in defense, which gave Haaland the opportunity to score a double. In the second half, Norway completely controlled the game and did not allow the opponent to return to the match.
As a result, the game ended with a confident victory for the Norwegians with a score of 4:1. Now it is they who lead Group I, and Iraq is in last place in the table.
Statistics of the match Iraq - Norway 1st round of the group stage of the World Cup? 2026 Iraq - Norway 1:4 Goals: Ayman Hussein (39) - Erling Haaland (29, 43), Leo Estigard (76), Christian Torstvedt (90+7) Expected goals (xG): 0.80 - 2.52 Ball possession: 39% - 61% Shots: 11 - 12 Shots on target: 1 -. The main hero of the meeting was Lionel Messi, who scored three goals.
At the very beginning of the match, the teams exchanged goals canceled due to offsides, but in the 17th minute Messi opened the scoring, being in the right position. At the end of the first half, the Algerians tried to respond with counterattacks, but did not create any serious threats to the Argentine defense.
After the break, the South Americans completely seized the initiative and often created dangerous moments near the opponent's goal. In the 60th minute, Messi scored a double after a shot from McAllister, and soon completed his hat-trick as a result of a combination with Nicholas Gonzalez.
Thus, Argentina topped Group J, and Algeria ended up in fourth position in the table.
Statistics of the match Argentina - Algeria of the 1st round of the group stage of the World Cup? 2026 Argentina - Algeria 3:0 Goals: Messi (17, 60, 76) Expected goals (xG): 1.24 - 0.30 Ball possession: 48% - 52% Shots: 10 - 7 Shots on target: 6 - 0 Corners: 2 - 2 Fouls: 13 - 8 We also remind you that.
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