HUNGRY HAALAND

Erling Haaland makes his World Cup finals debut for Norway against Iraq after his country qualified for the first time since 1998.

Haaland has just finished as the Premier League’s top scorer for the third time in four seasons at Manchester City and boasts a remarkable record of 55 goals in 50 caps for his country.

“Hopefully he’ll have a very big impact,” said Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who was in the squad as a midfielder the last time Norway played at the finals in France.

Iraq’s Australian coach Graham Arnold believes his team can pull off an upset.

“We’ve got to perform to our best and try to shock the world,” Arnold said.

“Qualification is not enough. I want more,” he added. “We’ve only got everything to win and not to lose.

In Monday’s action, one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain, were held to a shock goalless draw by tiny Cape Verde, one of the debutants.

Even the introduction of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal as a second-half substitute made no impact.