PRO-PALESTINIAN protesters lit flares and waved flags as they marched to the stadium ahead of Norway’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Israel on Saturday.

Public broadcaster NRK said around 1,000 protesters arrived at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.

A banner about the war in Gaza was carried by the protesters in what appeared to be a peaceful march.

A police line formed close to the stadium but at a measured distance from the protesters, some of whom chanted “Shut down the embassy,” while others carried red cards and one woman held up a small sign saying “Game Over Israel.”

A few dozen fans stayed to continue protesting outside the stadium once the match started.

The venue was almost full, with 22,000 to 23,000 spectators inside. Capacity was reduced by 3,000, front-row seats and those next to Israel fans out of bounds for security reasons.

Erling Haaland continued his devastating goal-scoring form with a hat-trick in Oslo.

Haaland’s night did not get off to the best of starts as he saw his sixth-minute penalty saved by Daniel Peretz, who denied him again after the kick had to be retaken, but he more than made amends to make it 18 goals in his last nine games for club and country.

The Manchester City striker, who scored five times against Moldova on his last international appearance, scored Norway’s second between a pair of own goals from Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias.

Haaland, winning his 46th cap, scored his 50th goal for his country when he nodded in Antonio Nusa’s cross and the pair combined again as the in-form forward grabbed his third of the night.

Victory for Norway gave them a sixth win from six in Group I as they edged closer to qualification for the World Cup.