Norway fans row in Oslo streets as England pubs stay open until 5am after World Cup upsets

Norway and England fans delivered some of the most vivid scenes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, July 6, after both nations advanced to the quarterfinals in dramatic round-of-16 victories.

Norway’s 2-1 defeat of Brazil marked the first time in the country’s history that the national team had reached the World Cup quarterfinals. Back in Oslo, supporters flooded Slottsplassen and Karl Johans gate, with fans mimicking the rowing celebration that Erling Haaland led on the pitch after the final whistle. Videos circulating on social media showed Norwegian supporters rowing in unison through the packed city-centre streets, mirroring their captain’s post-match gesture.

England’s night was no less dramatic. Playing in Mexico City, the Three Lions were reduced to ten men from the 54th minute yet still overturned a deficit to beat the host nation 3-2. The timing of the match — played deep into the early hours of Monday morning in the UK — meant English pubs were granted special late licences, staying open until 5am local time. The match itself ended at approximately 4:04am, and footage from watch parties showed supporters in full voice well into the night.

The build-up in Mexico City had its own storyline. Mexico fans were filmed spraying the England team bus ahead of kick-off, a show of intimidation that ultimately backfired once the final scoreline was confirmed.

Together, the two results produced a round of 16 that will be remembered as much for the fan celebrations as for the football itself — Norway’s first-ever quarterfinal berth and a ten-man England side grinding out a win on foreign soil providing the raw material for scenes that supporters of both nations are unlikely to forget.