Iraq's Aymen Hussein Overcomes Customs Delay to Score in World Cup Debut

Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was delayed on the way to his first World Cup, but he still made the best of his tournament debut.

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Earlier this month, it was not clear whether Hussein would be able to compete at the World Cup after he and another member of the team's travelling party were detained for several hours coming through US customs in Chicago.

Two weeks later, Hussein scored the second World Cup goal in his country's history during Iraq's 4-1 loss to Norway in Foxborough on Wednesday AEST.

Hussein also had a late own-goal, but Iraq's Australia-born coach Graham Arnold took only positives out of his star's effort.

"I'd rather remember his performance and the way he's played," said Arnold, who coached the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup.

"He's had quite a few injuries during the season. For him to get through 90 minutes … he's the type of player that's very difficult to control in the box.

"I'm very proud of him."

Norway took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on a sliding goal by Erling Haaland.

Nine minutes later, Hussein energised a sizeable contingent of white-clad Iraqi fans amid a sea of Norwegian red in the stands.

Amir Alammari corralled a ball on the baseline halfway between the left corner and the goal and fired a cross.

It eluded Norway's defenders, allowing Hussein to punch a clean header that bounced under the hand of diving goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.

Iraq is playing in its second World Cup and the first in 40 years.

Hussein appeared deflated as he shook hands with Norway's players afterwards, but his teammates were proud of the lift — however momentary — his goal provided to a team that came in as a heavy underdog.

"It's a proud moment for him," defender Hussein Ali said.

"But, of course, the end result, it's hard to celebrate a goal like that. But we're on to the next game."

Setting aside Hussein's difficulties in customs, Arnold said the team's experience leading up to the match had been positive.

"It's not about politics, it's about football," he said.

"The way we've been treated has been first-class."

Iraq next faces France in Philadelphia on Tuesday AEST.