Nearly 90,000 throng Oslo palace square as Norway side return after World Cup last-eight exit

OSLO, Norway (AFP) — An estimated 90,000 supporters turned out in Oslo on Monday to greet Norway’s footballers after their breakthrough advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.

The team, led by Erling Haaland, left the tournament on Saturday following a 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the last eight in Miami — Norway’s strongest finish at the finals to date.

Fans filled the plaza before the royal palace in the capital as the players arrived and took part in the familiar “Viking Row”. Crown Prince Haakon, next in line to the throne of the nation of 5.6 million, steered the festivities with a drum; he had also watched the Miami match.

“It’s simply incredible to see all the support we receive and to see how much the country is behind us,” captain Martin Odegaard said to public broadcaster NRK. “It’s really fantastic,” the Arsenal midfielder added.

Haaland reached Norway earlier Monday and shared images of himself leaving the aircraft with a stuffed racoon clutching a glass bottle of alcohol. NRK reported that the Manchester City forward, who netted seven times at the World Cup, could not join the gathering because he needed to catch a flight.