French fans celebrate while Norwegians shrug off defeat at World Cup as both sides progress

(27 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Foxborough, Massachusetts – 26 June 2026 1. France fan Denis Onillon and others celebrating 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Denis Onillon, France soccer fan: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOTS 3 AND 4++ "I think it was a great game, first half especially, with a good Ousmane Dembélé who scored three nice goals and second half was a little bit, well, I would say… we took it too easy in second half, no? We didn't put... we didn't keep the ball, we let them play but we had enough goals so. And I would say thank you to (France goalkeeper Mike) Maignan who stopped a penalty." 3. Onillon celebrating 4. Norway soccer fans singing ahead of game 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Derek Yerardi, Norway soccer fan: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 6++ "Sad that we lost, but wasn't surprised because they didn't have any of their starters, so that was kind of a bummer. Kind of expected them to give it a good fight but yeah, it was a little sad, but we're on to the next round. So, let's go Norway." 6. France fans posing for selfies 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Emilio Martinez, France soccer fan: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOTS 8 AND 9++ "I didn't expect a 4-1. For me, I'll say 2-1. But 4-1, (Norway striker Erling) Haaland didn't play, so I think Norway knew that they couldn't win against France, because France is too good for them." 8. France fans dressed as chefs holding placard reading (French/English) "Dish of the day, smoked salmon" 9. Mid of Norway fans 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolai Johansen, Norway soccer fan: "What I liked about the match that when like in the second half that we pushed and pushed and pushed to get the ball." 11. Norway fans Nicolai Johansen and Nathaniel Jacob Innset doing the Viking Row 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Nathaniel Jacob Innset, Norway soccer fan: "Yeah, I'm surprised that Norway actually scored against France, because France is one of the best national teams." 13. France fans dancing outside stadium 14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mason Pariseau, France soccer fan: ++STARTS ON SHOT 13++ "The future of France in the World Cup, I mean, they made the finals two years in a row. Why not go for three, and win it this time?" 15. Norway soccer fans outside stadium 16. SOUNDBITE (English) Sindre Solberg, Norway soccer fan: ++STARTS ON SHOT 15 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 17++ "Yeah, of course, a bit of disappointment from the Norwegian side because they didn't do too well. But, of course, it's France and I believe maybe they will win the World Cup. So, can't be too disappointed either." 17. Norway soccer fans outside stadium STORYLINE: Jubilant French fans expressed their joy after watching their side beat Norway 4-1 on Friday to win their World Cup group.  France took a 3-1 lead on Ousmane Dembélé’s first-half hat trick, and earned a knockout match against one of the eight best third-place finishers. Already in the knockout round but with a chance to win the group with a victory Norway decided to rest 10 of the players who started its previous game. "I think it was a great game, first half especially," said France fan Denis Onillon after the match. Emilio Martinez another French fan agreed. "I didn't expect a 4-1," he said "I think Norway knew that they couldn't win against France, because France is too good for them." Norway fans shared their disappointment over the result but many were looking ahead in the tournament with the side already in the knockout round. "Sad that we lost, but wasn't surprised because they didn't have any of their starters," said Norway fan Derek Yerardi. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...