Erling Haaland marked his World Cup finals debut with a brace of goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 - their biggest ever win in the tournament.
The City striker was at his brilliant best in Boston in an entertaining opening Group I clash.
After spearheading his nation’s qualification phase, Haaland was determined to make his mark on football’s biggest stage.
It was Norway’s first World Cup for 28 years, and realising a boyhood dream, it was almost inevitable that our No,9 would open the scoring.
After a scrappy opening to the game, Norway took the lead shortly after the first-half hydration break, when Wolves’ David Møller Wolfe found space on the left before whipping a ball to the far post where a lunging Haaland was on hand to force the ball over the line.
It was his 56th goal in 51 appearances for his country and he celebrated it accordingly – as did many City fans watching around the globe.
Iraq responded strongly and levelled 10 minutes later through an excellent Aymen Hussein header.
But with Haaland in their ranks, the Norwegians didn’t let the setback dampen their enthusiasm, and on 43 minutes, Haaland had his second of the game.
Closing down a back pass to goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, Haaland managed to get a toe to the ball before Hassan’s clearance hit the City striker’s foot and rebounded into the net.
It was Haaland’s 53rd goal for club and country this season and he become only the sixth player to score two goals in their first game at the finals.
Leo Østigård all-but wrapped up victory from a Martin Ødegaard corner on 76 minutes to make it 3-1.
And there was still time for Haaland to claim an assist - of sorts - as a fourth Norway goal was scored in the seventh minute of added time.
The City striker headed a deep cross to the back post where Aymen Hussein chested the ball past his own keeper to make it 4-1and seal victory for a buoyant Norwegian side that will look to go deep into the tournament.
Elsewhere, Rayan Cherki was a late substitute for France in their opening game against Senegal.
Arriving on 87 minutes, the Blues’ playmaker had little time to make an impact in a game that Les Bleus went on to win 3-1.
And in the early hours, Rayan Ait-Nouri played the full 90 minutes as Algeria were soundly beaten by Argentina 3-0 in Kansas.
Lionel Messi scored all three goals in a masterclass by the Argentine legend that saw him move level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s all-time top scorer.
Messi moved to 16 in total with his latest treble - not bad for a man who turns 39 in a week’s time.
Ait-Nouri was joined by former City winger Riyad Mahrez on 64 minutes, but Algeria will look to bounce back quickly in their next game against Jordan which now looks a must-win clash.
City Magazine: World Cup special available now!
Featuring Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and a greatest ever World Cup Manchester Best XI - get reading now!
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