On a charged Saturday evening in Oslo, football and politics collided as Norway cruised to a resounding 5-0 victory over Israel in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, a match that will be remembered as much for Erling Haaland’s historic hat-trick as for the fervent pro-Palestinian demonstrations that swept the Norwegian capital.
Before a ball was even kicked at Ullevaal Stadium, the city’s streets were alive with the sound of protest. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside the Norwegian parliament, many clad in the red, black, white, and green of the Palestine national team. Chants of “Free Palestine” echoed through Oslo’s avenues, with banners draped from balconies and flares lighting the march as demonstrators made their way towards the stadium. Security forces, anticipating tensions, closed several entrances, conducted exhaustive bag searches, and limited the crowd to just 3,000 spectators—down from the stadium’s usual capacity.
“The match should not have been played. If Russia is expelled, then Israel should be expelled as well. But when the match is played, the best thing Norway could do is destroy Israel’s hopes for the World Cup,” said Johan, a Norway fan in a Palestine jersey, capturing the mood among many in attendance. For others, football was the main focus. “We are going to watch Norway basically qualify tonight and it’s going to be a great night,” another supporter told Reuters, undeterred by the political backdrop.
Inside Ullevaal, the tension was palpable. Several dozen Israeli fans waved their country’s flag and unfurled a banner reading “Let the Ball Talk!” Meanwhile, a large Palestine flag and a sign declaring “Let Children Live” were displayed early in the game, and some in the crowd jeered during the Israel national anthem. Red cards were held aloft in silent protest, a potent symbol of dissent amid the spectacle of sport.
On the pitch, Norway wasted little time asserting their dominance. The opening minutes saw a dramatic sequence: Erling Haaland, the Manchester City goal machine, was awarded a penalty after a foul in the box. Israel’s Daniel Peretz saved Haaland’s first attempt, only for the referee to order a retake due to encroachment. Peretz, undaunted, parried Haaland’s second shot as well, denying the striker an early lead.
But Norway’s pressure would soon pay off. In the 18th minute, Israel’s Anan Khalaili inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting Norway the opener. Haaland, undeterred by his earlier misses, soon made amends. Racing clear of the defense, he slotted home Norway’s second, notching his 50th international goal in just 46 matches—a feat unmatched in men’s international football history. By the time Idan Nachmias added a second own goal for Israel, Norway had seized control.
Haaland was far from finished. His second goal came courtesy of a powerful header from Antonio Nusa’s pinpoint cross, and with 18 minutes left, he completed his sixth hat-trick for Norway by nodding in another, sending the home crowd into raptures. With this treble, Haaland’s international tally soared to 51 goals in 46 games, and his season total for club and country reached 21—remarkable numbers with the campaign barely underway.
“I’ve never felt better than I do now,” Haaland told Sky Sports after the match, a sentiment echoed by pundits across Europe. Jamie Carragher, reflecting on Haaland’s exploits for Manchester City, described him as English football’s “greatest goalscorer.” The statistics back up the hype: Haaland is on pace to shatter Premier League records, projected to surpass Alan Shearer’s legendary 260 goals by September 2030 if he maintains his current strike rate. With nine years left on his contract at the Etihad and only 25 years old, the Norwegian striker seems destined for the record books.
Norway’s comprehensive win did more than just boost their World Cup hopes—it put them firmly atop Group I with 18 points from six matches, six clear of second-placed Italy. The Scandinavians are now on the brink of qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup finals since 1998, a drought that has long frustrated Norwegian fans. The last time Norway appeared at a major tournament was Euro 2000, making this campaign’s momentum all the sweeter for supporters eager to see their team return to the grandest stage.
Israel, meanwhile, were left to lick their wounds after a meek showing in Oslo. With their qualification hopes fading, they now face a must-win clash against Italy in Udine on Tuesday. Only victory will keep their World Cup dream alive, but the task looks daunting—especially as Italy, buoyed by recent wins over Estonia, sit three points clear of Israel and have a game in hand. The upcoming fixture is expected to be tense, with only 5,000 tickets sold amid continued political protests and heightened security.
The larger context surrounding the match was impossible to ignore. Since October 7, 2023, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza following Israel’s military response to attacks by Hamas-led militants. The violence has cast a long shadow over Israeli sports, with many calling for their exclusion from international competition. On Friday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a public appeal for calm ahead of Israel’s qualifying matches after a peace deal was brokered between Israel and Hamas, leading to the first phase of an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. Yet, as events in Oslo showed, emotions remain raw and divisions deep.
Norwegian police were forced to disperse some of the pro-Palestinian activists outside the stadium with tear gas, making several arrests as the protests spilled over into the evening. Still, most demonstrations remained peaceful, with about 1,000 protesters marching from Oslo’s city center to the stadium, determined to make their voices heard until the final whistle.
Football, as ever, provided a stage for both sporting excellence and societal debate. For Norway, the night belonged to Erling Haaland and a team that now stands tantalizingly close to a long-awaited World Cup return. For Israel, the focus shifts to Udine, where their qualification hopes hang by a thread. Off the pitch, the intersection of sport and politics continues to spark passionate debate—proof that, in this corner of the world at least, the beautiful game is never just about the scoreline.
As the dust settles in Oslo, Norway’s fans can dare to dream again, while the world watches to see if football can offer even a momentary respite from conflict. For now, Group I’s destiny remains in Norwegian hands, and the echoes of both cheers and protest chants linger in the autumn air.
