Coach Arnold upbeat despite Iraq's loss to Norway

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a] opened the scoring in the 29th minute ‌and while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hussein-ayman/Aq6AX0QC/"]Aymen Hussein[/a] briefly levelled for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a], Haaland put his ‌side back in front before halftime.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ostigard-leo/lIN7BM8b/"]Leo Ostigard[/a] added a third ‌in the 76th minute and Hussein's late own goal completed the scoring.[/p][p]Iraq are playing at the World Cup for the first time in ‌40 years and Arnold said he was ⁠encouraged by their performance.[/p][p][b]"We put ‌good pressure on Norway," he said. "But a couple of mistakes against players ​at this level will always punish you. So we need to learn lessons from our mistakes."[/b][/p][p]The Australian said ​Norway's second goal, which came from a weak back pass to Iraq goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hachim-jalal/8AvSMuAq/"]Jalal Hassan[/a], was a turning point.[/p][p][b]"It really ⁠probably hurt the players ​mentally," said Arnold. "I tried to pick them up and say it's the past, and we've got to get over it."[/b][/p][image alt="Iraq - Norway match momentum" id="cc02ba1a-011d-4599-9483-e52f6552fe1a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="44e5781a-2174-48ea-aacb-09a2d9e4c513" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Despite the defeat, Arnold said Iraq remain firmly in contention to reach the ‌knockout stage.[/p][p]Norway lead Group I on goal difference, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] also on three points following a 3-1 victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a].[/p][p]With the best third-placed sides also able to advance under the World Cup's expanded 48-team format, Arnold said there was no reason to panic.[/p][p][b]"We're in a group phase, there's nine points available," he said. "We've got to take all the positives out of today and get ourselves ready for the next game.[/b][/p][p][b]"There is still ‌the opportunity for third spot. Three points should be enough ​to get you through."[/b][/p][p]Arnold also highlighted the contribution of ‌Hussein, who endured an injury-hit season.[/p][p][b]"For him to get through 90 minutes with that energy that he had, of course scoring the goal was fantastic," he said.[/b][/p][p]With France next up, Arnold called on supporters to stay behind the team.[/p][p][b]"Be ⁠proud of the players," ⁠he said. "Keep supporting the boys ‌and stay happy."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/iraq-K8aAGt6r/norway-8rP6JO0H/report/?mid=n9TEVLhA"]Read the report from the game now.[/a][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]