Tottenham star’s son denied World Cup goal as Erling Haaland adds to unique first

Norway achieved a unique first during the second half of their win over Iraq.

Stale Solbakken’s side secured a 4-1 victory in their first World Cup match since 1998 on Tuesday.

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Erling Haaland’s first half brace was followed by a header from substitute Leo Ostigard after half-time.

Their fourth goal was ultimately awarded as an own goal for Aymen Hussein, to the dismay of Kristian Thorstvedt.

The midfielder thought he had scored his fifth international goal in stoppage time as Norway made a winning start to this summer’s finals.

Thorstvedt had challenged for the ball at the back post after Haaland sent a looping header back across goal.

Despite the Norwegian wheeling away in celebration, replays showed he had not made contact and the ball instead deflected in off Hussein’s chest.

The 27-year-old will be hoping to add to his four goals in 38 caps in Norway’s next match against Senegal on Monday.

Like father, like son

His name will already be familiar to fans in England, though, after following in the footsteps of his father.

Former Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt spent seven years with Tottenham Hotspur between 1989 and 1996.

The stopper won the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time in north London.

Thorstvedt’s father also picked up 97 caps for his country and was part of their 1994 World Cup squad.

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As a result, the Sassuolo man helped make history after he replaced Fredrik Aursnes in the 73rd minute against Iraq.

His introduction saw him join Haaland and Alexander Sorloth on the pitch.

In doing so, Norway became the first team in World Cup history to have the sons of three former World Cup players on the pitch at the same time.

Alfie Haaland and Goran Sorloth were also part of their 1994 squad alongside Thorstvedt.

Norway finished bottom of their group in the USA 22 years ago despite all four sides finishing level on four points.

Meanwhile, their best appearance at the finals came in 1998 when they advanced from their group to reach the last 16.

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The fourth son of a former Norwegian international was later brought on after Sorloth had been withdrawn.

Patrick Berg played the final nine minutes after replacing Martin Odegaard in midfield.

He is the fourth member of his family to represent Norway after his father, grandfather and uncle.

However, Berg is the first to have featured at a World Cup for the national team.

Joining the greats

Haaland’s World Cup debut saw the Manchester City striker score twice as he fired Norway to all three points.

His display came after Kylian Mbappe had laid down a marker in group I’s other fixture.

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The France captain scored twice, including a stunning second goal, as his side beat Senegal 3-1.

Mbappe now has 14 goals in just 15 appearances at the World Cup since making his debut in 2018.

However, he remains two goals short of the all-time record, which is now shared after Lionel Messi’s latest heroics.

The Argentina forward scored a hat-trick as the defending champions beat Algeria 3-0 on Tuesday night.

In doing so, Messi pulled level with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s record scorer with 16 goals.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is also the first player ever to appear at six separate World Cup finals.