OSLO, Norway — Norway beat Israel 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier soccer match in Oslo on Saturday that was overshadowed by anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests inside and outdoors the stadium held by native followers against Israel’s participation within the match because of the battle in opposition to Hamas in Gaza.
There was a heavy safety response, together with using tear fuel, in what The Guardian known as the “most high-security sports activities occasion in Norway for the reason that Winter Olympics in 1994.”
The report mentioned that “anti-terror measures have been in place all through Oslo,” police imposed a no-fly zone over the stadium, and supporters from each nations have been barred from sitting in seats near the pitch.
Forward of the sport, a whole lot of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered to protest outdoors the Norwegian parliament, with many carrying the jerseys of the Palestinian nationwide workforce.
“The match mustn’t have been performed. If Russia is expelled, then Israel ought to be expelled as effectively,” claimed Norway fan Johan, who was wearing a Palestine jersey.
Marching towards Ullevaal Stadium with Palestinian flags and flares, the protesters gathered outdoors, persevering with till kickoff as close by buildings displayed pro-Palestinian banners hanging from balconies.
Safety was tight across the stadium, with police closing a number of entrances hours earlier than the match began, conducting bag searches, and lowering the variety of spectators allowed in.
Contained in the stadium, spectators unfurled a big Palestinian flag within the stands, subsequent to a banner studying “Let Kids Reside,” in protest of the battle in Gaza, the place a ceasefire got here into impact on Friday.
Norway followers unfold an enormous Palestine ???????? flag forward of their World Cup qualifier in opposition to Israel ???????? #WorldCupQualifiers @BabaGol_ pic.twitter.com/fGRcfnPzSG
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) October 11, 2025
On the opposite aspect of the stadium, a small group of followers might be seen waving Israeli flags and sporting different pro-Israel paraphernalia.
Because the match kicked off with each international locations’ nationwide anthems, boos and whistles might be heard in components of the stadium as Israel’s anthem, “Hatikva,” was performed.
Later, Norwegian police confirmed that they had used tear fuel on a bunch of protesters who tried to breach the barricades surrounding the stadium because the match was being performed.
“A number of protesters have damaged via the police barricades outdoors Ullevaal Stadium. We’ve got subsequently used fuel to realize management of the gang. Nobody has been injured in reference to the incident,” the police mentioned in an announcement to Norwegian media.
The police additionally arrested a number of demonstrators, in accordance with the information company NTB.
There are additionally supporters for Israel earlier than the essential match in Oslo.
???? @shaulig pic.twitter.com/JzAemuHrDC— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) October 11, 2025
The Norwegian Soccer Affiliation beforehand mentioned it could donate the proceeds from ticket gross sales for Saturday’s match to Medical doctors With out Borders.
Within the recreation itself, Norway handily defeated Israel, with the Scandinavians’ star Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick along with two personal targets scored by Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias.
Haaland additionally missed a penalty as Norway cruised to victory and edged nearer to qualifying for a primary World Cup since 1998.
Norway, who haven’t performed at a significant match since Euro 2000, now lead Group I with 9 factors greater than second-placed Italy, who’ve two video games in hand and play in Estonia later Saturday. Israel is in third place and performs in Italy on Tuesday, with solely faint hopes of reaching the playoffs for subsequent yr’s cup.
Norway will safe a spot at subsequent yr’s finals in the US, Canada and Mexico with a win over the Estonians on Tuesday if Italy fails to defeat both Estonia or Israel in its subsequent two matches.
