Johaug, who missed the last World Championships after she was suspended for two years following a positive test for anabolic steroid clostebol back in October 2016, sealed gold in a time of 27min 2.1sec.

Sweden's Frida Karlsson claimed a surprise silver medal as she finished 12.2 seconds behind Johaug, who now has nine world titles following her triumph in the 15km skiathlon last week.

Johaug's compatriot Ingvild Flugstad Østberg came through to take bronze, 23.4 adrift of Karlsson.

Victory for the Norwegian saw her build on her success on the World Cup circuit since she came back to the sport after her suspension.

The 30-year-old claimed she had pinpointed the 10km classic race at the World Championships before the start of the season.

"I did not know how it went after I finished the race but I saw my name on top of the list," said Johaug.

"I felt really good for the last kilometres and I am really happy to win today. 

"Before the season started I had the dream to win this competition."

Germany were crowned the first women's team ski jumping world champions as the team of Juliane Seyfarth, reigning individual champion Carina Vogt, Ramona Straub and Katharina Althaus triumphed with a total score of 898.9 points.

The German quartet finished streets ahead of the rest of the field as hosts Austria, represented by Eva Pinkelnig, Jacqueline Seifriedsberger, Chiara Hoezl and Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, took silver on 880.3.

Norwegian Olympic gold medallist Maren Lundby helped her country claim bronze as the event made its World Championships debut.

Norway, whose team also featured Anna Odine Stroem, Saglien Braaten and Silje Opseth, came third on 876.9 points.