Full Breakdown
Norway’s 3-2 Victory Over Senegal Sparks Viral “Viking Row” Celebration
6/24/2026, 10:39:00 PM
Match Outcome and Immediate Celebration
On the night of the Group I clash at MetLife Stadium (also referred to as the New York/New Jersey Stadium), Norway defeated Senegal 3-2, securing a place in the World Cup round of 32 for the first time since 1998. Striker Erling Haaland scored both second-half goals, while Ismaila Sarr netted twice for Senegal. The win gave Norway six points, leaving them second in the group behind France on goal difference.
Background: Norway’s World Cup Return and the Viking Row Tradition
The “Viking Row” chant originated in 2025 when Ole Frøystad of the supporters’ club Oljeberget adapted the “Ro-Sen-Borg” chant into a synchronized rowing motion. A drumbeat and the shouted “ro” (Norwegian for “row”) evoke the coordinated oars of Viking longships. The gesture was first used in a friendly against Switzerland, gained modest traction against Sweden, and exploded globally after the Senegal victory.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- Erling Haaland – scored a second-half brace and later said, “I saw it online; it’s gone completely viral.”
- Martin Ødegaard – beat an imaginary drum to lead the on-field rowing.
- Ståle Solbakken – sprinted into the stands to kiss his wife Anniken, then joined the row, noting, “It’s fun for the fans. We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”
- Patrick Berg – admitted early doubts about the tradition, later calling it “a massive part of our World Cup so far.”
- Alexander Sorloth – described the moment as “incredibly fun… magical.”
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Norway 3, Senegal 2.
- Points after two matches: Norway 6, France 6 (Norway second on goal difference).
- Haaland’s tournament tally: four goals in two games, matching a 50-year record for consecutive braces in a debut World Cup.
- Norway’s first progression beyond the group stage in 27 years.
On-the-Ground Reports: From Oslo to Times Square
After the match, thousands of Oslo fans marched up Karl Johans gate, chanting “We’re going to wake up the king,” and performed the Viking Row at the palace square. The Royal House declined comment on whether King Harald V and Queen Sonja were awakened, stating only that it “rejoices with the rest of the country.” Simultaneously, crowds in Trondheim, New York’s Times Square, subway stations, and escalators replicated the rowing, even appearing on “Good Morning America.”
Official Statements & Responses
- Royal House: “The Royal House rejoices with the rest of the country over the men’s national team’s victory last night.”
- Coach Solbakken (post-match): “It’s fun for the fans… we will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”
Criticism & Opposition
Solbakken’s own remark frames the celebration as a temporary gimmick, suggesting that some observers view the Viking Row as a novelty rather than a lasting cultural expression. No formal criticism from other officials or fan groups appears in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re going to wake up the king.” — Oslo fan chant
- “A lot more fun than I would have thought. When you hear the sound, it's magical.” — Alexander Sorloth, forward
- “I saw it online; it's gone completely viral,” — Erling Haaland, striker
- “We will not be rowing after the World Cup, but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.” — Ståle Solbakken, head coach
- “At the start, I think people doubted a little bit - like, is this something that's going to last or just something that's going to die off? But it's been a massive part of our World Cup so far,” — Patrick Berg, midfielder
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the match date (June 22 vs. June 23) and exact kickoff time (late night vs. around 4 a.m. GMT). The venue is described both as MetLife Stadium and New York/New Jersey Stadium. The Royal House provided no confirmation on whether the monarch was actually awakened.
What’s Next
Norway’s next fixture is the group-deciding match against France on Friday, 26 June, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. A win would advance Norway to the knockout round, where the Viking Row could reappear on the world stage.
