Norway secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal in Group I on Tuesday, with players describing the growing “Viking row” celebration from supporters as a source of joy and inspiration.
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway earned a second consecutive win, while Marcus Pedersen added the other goal in a match that confirmed the Scandinavian side’s progression to the Round of 32. With six points from two matches, Stale Solbakken’s team have guaranteed qualification and will now battle France for top spot in the group during their final fixture.
Norway’s supporters have gained widespread attention at the tournament for their synchronized “Viking row” choreography, which has gone viral across stadiums and city centers in the United States. Following the win over Senegal, the celebration was repeated inside the stadium as players joined fans in the stands to embrace the atmosphere.
“It was so much fun,” striker Alexander Sorloth told Reuters after the match. “Way more fun than I ever imagined. When you hear that roar, it feels magical.”
Sorloth also addressed whether the growing fan tradition could help Norway in their bid for a deep tournament run, urging caution while maintaining optimism.
“We’ll see, but if we can reach our highest level — this is a tournament and anything can happen — if we reach our highest level, we can go far,” he said.
Norway’s strong start has raised expectations after decades away from consistent success on the world stage, with their qualification marking a significant milestone in their resurgence as a competitive international side.
