Thousands of Norwegian football fans descended on the Royal Palace in Oslo in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the men's national team secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal in the World Cup Group I match. The win guaranteed Norway's place in the knockout stages for the first time in decades, sparking wild celebrations across the country.
Party at the Palace Gates
Despite the match ending at around 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), supporters flooded the streets of Oslo, waving flags and chanting. A large crowd marched up the city's main thoroughfare toward the royal residence, singing: "We're going to wake up the king." Upon reaching the palace square, hundreds of fans sat down to perform the "Viking rowing" celebration, a coordinated motion mimicking rowing a longship.
The Norwegian Royal House declined to comment on whether King Harald V, 89, and Queen Sonja were awakened by the festivities or if the monarch had stayed up to watch the match. In a statement, the Royal House said: "The Royal House rejoices with the rest of the country over the men's national team's victory last night."
National Celebration
The victory marked a historic moment for Norwegian football, as the team had not advanced to the knockout stages of a World Cup since 1998. The match, played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, saw Norway come from behind to win in stoppage time, sending fans into a frenzy back home. Tuesday was a normal workday, but many employers allowed staff to come in late or work from home as the celebrations continued into the morning.
According to local media, the crowd outside the palace numbered in the hundreds, with police managing the situation peacefully. No incidents were reported, and the festivities wound down by mid-morning as fans headed home or to work.
World Cup Fever Grips Norway
The win has galvanized the nation, with flags flying from homes and cars across the country. The Norwegian Football Federation praised the team's performance and thanked fans for their passionate support. The team is scheduled to return to Oslo later this week for a public welcome, though details have yet to be confirmed.
Norway will face an opponent from Group H in the round of 32, with the match expected to draw even larger viewing figures. The victory over Senegal was watched by millions on Norwegian television, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in the country's history.
