Norway were the dominant force from the first whistle at Gillette Stadium, deploying their trademark high press and direct vertical play to suffocate an Iraq side that struggled to build out from the back. Erling Haaland was unplayable in the first half — his opening goal, a clinical near-post finish after Ødegaard slid a perfectly weighted through ball between the Iraqi centre-backs, set the tone. Iraq showed admirable grit and pulled level on the stroke of half-time through Ali Al-Hamadi's powerful header from a Zidane Iqbal corner, briefly threatening an upset. But Norway reasserted control within twelve minutes of the restart when Akam Hashim's clumsy challenge on Sørloth inside the box gave Haaland the chance to convert from the spot. Sørloth then put the game to bed on 78 minutes, latching onto another incisive Ødegaard pass and finishing low across Fahad Talib. Iraq's discipline crumbled in the closing stages, with Manaf Younis dismissed for a reckless lunge. A comfortable, professional Norway victory that announces them as serious Group I contenders.

• Haaland's brace (1 open play, 1 pen) gave Norway a commanding platform — his 14th & 15th World Cup qualifying/finals goals in the cycle.
• Ødegaard registered two assists, pulling strings in the half-spaces and dictating Norway's tempo throughout.
• Iraq's high defensive line was repeatedly exposed in behind by Haaland and Sørloth's movement.
• Ali Al-Hamadi's 38th-minute header kept Iraq alive briefly, silencing the Foxborough crowd before the break.
• Norway's xG of 3.41 vs Iraq's 0.98 underlines the gulf in class — Iraq's goal came against the run of play.
• Manaf Younis's late red card (88') was a fitting summary of Iraq's disciplinary struggles under sustained pressure.