Wayne Rooney kept his promise.
Back in the World Cup last 16, the former England striker vowed to row down the River Mersey if Norway beat Brazil. When Norway did just that, winning 2-1 against the five-time champions, the BBC Sport pundit confirmed live on air he’d follow through—then fulfilled the pledge in the US.
Rooney, joined by fellow pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards, swapped microphones for oars and took to the Hudson River in New York. He said he loved the experience, praised the supporters, and said they did it out of respect for the fans.
Norway’s “viking row” celebration became a World Cup sensation, and even striker Erling Haaland urged Rooney to get out on the water. Norway were later eliminated by England in the quarter-finals.
Rooney, Hart and Richards will return to dry land alongside Gabby Logan for Sunday’s World Cup final (20:00 BST), live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. England face France in the third-place match on Saturday at 22:00, also live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.