20.04 EDT Full time: Iraq 1-4 Norway
It was a brilliant performance by Iraq in their first World Cup finals appearance in 40 years, and the score is in no way representative of the play. Iraq were the better side for the last 15 minutes of the first half and for much of the second half. But a massive blunder gave Norway a 2-1 halftime lead, and Norway took advantage of their height advantage to tack on two more goals without ever really taking control of the game.
The commentary crew is hyping Norway as a tournament dark horse now. I predict they’ll lose to France and Senegal, but that late goal may see them get through to the round of … sigh … 32.
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Full-time in Foxborough Boston Photograph: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
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