Khaberni - Norway is nearing sealing their qualification to the final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history, after their sweeping 5-0 victory over Israel on Saturday, in the sixth round of matches in Group Nine of the European qualifiers.
Norway secured the match in the first half, despite striker Erling Haaland missing a penalty after six minutes. However, he later scored a hat-trick (27, 63, and 72), following the initial own goal by Adnan Khalaily (18), and the third by his teammate Eidan Nahmias (28).
Norway solidified their lead with 18 points from six victories, nine points ahead of second-placed Italy (4 matches) who will play against Estonia later, and the same margin from Israel who has only two more matches left.
The result was disappointing for the Italians, who are headed to the playoffs for the third consecutive time, a stage they have failed to pass in the 2022 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Players under coach Gennaro Gattuso aim for a fourth win today to sustain their hopes for the lead, albeit faint, and to secure the second spot by a three-point margin over Israel, with one less game played.
Hundreds of protesters, wearing Palestinian scarves and carrying Palestinian flags, gathered a few hours earlier in the city center, then moved on foot amid thick clouds of colored smoke, to the vicinity of the "Olivor" stadium, which was under tight security measures.
Lynn Al-Khatib, chair of the "Norwegian Committee for Palestine" and one of the organizers of the protest, told Agence France-Presse "The message today is that we are raising the red card against Israel, against the apartheid regime, and against genocide."
She added: "We refuse to have the world of football used to polish war crimes, as is happening today with Israel's participation in the World Cup qualifiers."
The protesters demanded the exclusion of Israel from international competitions before the police dispersed them and arrested several individuals.
Recently, Lise Klaveness, head of the Norwegian Football Federation, stated that she is working "to impose sanctions on Israel," adding in a podcast, "Personally, I think if Russia is banned, Israel should be banned too."
Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, FIFA and UEFA jointly banned the Russian national team and Russian clubs from participating in international competitions, a sanction that has been in effect since then.
Before the start of the match, some fans briefly raised a large Palestinian flag and a giant banner stating "Let the children live" in the stands, while jeers were heard during the playing of the occupation's anthem.
In another match in Group Six, Hungary defeated its guest Armenia by two goals to nil, bringing their tally to four points in second place from three matches, two points behind Portugal, who will play against Ireland later.
In Group Eleven, Latvia drew with their guest Andorra 2-2 in a marginal match.
