Norway Receives Heroes' Welcome in Oslo Following Historic World Cup Run

Around 90,000 fans gathered in Oslo on Monday to give the Norwegian national football team a heroes' welcome following their historic run to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Norway achieved their best-ever tournament result before being knocked out on Saturday, suffering a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to England in extra-time in Miami.

Upon the squad's return, fans packed the square outside the royal palace in the nation's capital. The crowd performed the iconic "Viking Row," led by Crown Prince Haakon playing a drum. The Crown Prince had also been present in Miami for the quarter-final defeat.

Team captain and Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard expressed his deep gratitude to the public broadcaster NRK. "It's simply incredible to see all the support we receive and to see how much the country is behind us," Odegaard stated, calling the reception "really fantastic".

Notably absent from the main public celebration was star striker Erling Haaland, who scored seven goals during the tournament. According to NRK, the Manchester City forward was unable to attend because he had to catch another flight. Haaland had landed in Norway earlier in the day, posting a photo to social media showing him walking from the plane while holding a glass bottle of alcohol and a stuffed raccoon.