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Watch: Norway triumphantly returns to the World Cup, as France defeats Senegal

Iraq and Norway returned to the World Cup, and France's Kylian Mbappé overtook a football legend's record.

A blonde, male football player wearing red top and shorts pushes past a player in white while chasing a football.
Norway beat Graham Arnold's Iraq 4-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match in Boston. Source: Getty / Mattia Ozbot

Norway striker Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as he guided his side to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in their Group I match on Tuesday.

Haaland's goals came in the 29th and 43rd minutes. For his first, he steered home a low cross at the back post. His second came after he charged down an underhit backpass and the Iraqi goalkeeper's attempted clearance cannoned off his leg and into the net from a few metres out.

"It was not easy to be a debutant, you're nervous, and to win on a not-so-good day is great," Haaland told reporters.

"To win 4-1 on an average day is absolutely huge for all of us. It's fantastic, and I'm proud of all of us.

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Iraq was making a return to the World Cup after a 40-year absence, with Graham Arnold's team securing their place in the tournament after a 2-1 win over Bolivia in March's intercontinental playoff.

Aymen Hussein equalised for Iraq with a nicely placed header in the 39th minute, but Haaland's second came a few minutes later and in the second half the Norwegians were too strong.

Norway struck again in the 76th minute, sealing their win with substitute Leo Ostigard's glancing header, before under-pressure Hussein scored an own goal deep into stoppage time.

"I think three points will get you through to the next phase," Iraq coach Graham Arnold said.

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Credit: SBS News

"We got two more games to go. You know, I thought the boys did exceptionally well in the first half, but ... a couple of mistakes hurt us badly.

"But what a great occasion this has been for Iraq and so many fans here. So, it's a special night."

Iraq became the first team in the Asian confederation to lose a match in this tournament.

The Norwegians next play Senegal, who lost against France early on Wednesday.

France defeats Senegal

French captain Kylian Mbappé became the country's greatest goalscorer as his side beat Senegal 3-1 in their Group I match.

The Real Madrid forward struck twice, his second a long-range screamer.

His 66th minute first goal, which he steered home on the turn after a lovely through ball from Michael Olise, broke the France goalscoring record, with Mbappé's 58th goal putting him one ahead of previous record holder Olivier Giroud.

Bradley Barcola added a second for France in the 66th minute before Ibrahim Mbaye hauled one back for Senegal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

But Mbappé wasn't finished, sealing the victory with a wonder strike from well outside the box a minute later.

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Credit: SBS News

The double moved Mbappé to 14 World Cup goals, taking him past Argentine great Lionel Messi and France legend Just Fontaine and level with Germany's Gerd Muller, two behind record holder Miroslav Klose of Germany.

"I play to leave a mark on my country's history and to help my team win the World Cup," Mbappé told reporters.

"I don't think we're fully up and running yet. But it's always good to start a tournament with a win. It gives you a bit more peace of mind, even though you're never really relaxed at a World Cup."

Senegal had started with far greater intensity and gave France early problems through Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr, while Deschamps' side struggled to find rhythm despite dominating possession.

Jackson almost opened the scoring after a lightning counter-attack down the left, driving into the box and firing a low shot against the post before the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Mike Maignan's heel and went out for a corner.

Iraq and Norway are playing Boston in Group I now.

— additional reporting from Reuters

You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ at SBS On Demand: get match ready.


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Source: SBS News



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