THIS is the moment that England fans went wild as they celebrated Raheem Sterling’s winner against Croatia.
Jubilant supporters chucked pints in the air and hugged each other as the Manchester City winger slotted home the only goal of the game.
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England fans celebrate as Raheem Sterling fired England into the leadSupporters chucked pints in the air at Croydon Box ParkFans stood on the tables as they celebrated Sterling’s winnerOthers hugged in sheer delight as England won their opening gameThe full time whistle was met with cheers in London’s Trafalgar SquareSupporters dared to dream it COULD come home after the 1-0 winCredit: LNPLondoners fill the streets as the victory was confirmedCredit: w8mediaBars packed with supporters erupted as England wonCredit: PAA fan gets a lift from his mates after England snatched a winCredit: ReutersFans in London celebrate as England top the tableCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThere was a sea of red and white in the capitalCredit: LNPSterling had scored the game’s only goalCredit: ReutersHe slotted home in the 57th minute past Croatia keeper LivakovicHe was then mobbed by his teammatesCredit: PAGareth Southgate celebrated as England’s secured all three pointsCredit: EPA
The goal had sent fans into rapture as grown men leapt into each other’s arms as they soaked in the landmark victory.
Many were gathered at venues across the country as they threw beers and and waved their arms uncontrollably in delight.
At Croydon Box Park, smoke was set off as supporters ran around and screamed evoking their sheer joy.
A similar scene was unfolding elsewhere in gazebos as fans jumped on tables and chanted as Sterling put England in front.
Cheers were also heard at the final whistle in the likes of Trafalgar Square as Gareth Southgate’s men eventually held out for a 1-0 win, avenging their heartbreaking 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia.
It sealed a perfect start as the Three Lions won their opening Euros match for the first time ever.
Fans are now edging closer to their prayers being answered and the team ending 55 years of hurt to bring football home for the first time since 1966.
Supporters inside Wembley erupted in cheers as they watched the Three Lions win their first-ever opening game in the tournament.
They had earlier drowned out a small minority who booed at players taking the knee.
The atmosphere was electric across the country today as excited fans draped in flags gathered together for the Three Lions’ first group game.
Supporters could earlier be heard under Wembley’s famous arch giving a roaring ‘Cheers’ to the Three Lions.
Choruses of ‘It’s Coming Home’ that were nervously whispered this morning became rousing renditions that echoed through the air as excitement reached fever-pitch.
Delighted fans told to come together as one and help make the beautiful game beautiful again stuck to their brief as they filled bars and pubs.
Today’s win also silenced critics who questioned today’s line-up – with both Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho left out of the squad entirely.
And Jack Grealish was left on the bench despite the Villa winger earning a spot in the starting 11 thanks to a successful season.
Newcastle goes wild as England take the leadCredit: NNPSupporters raised a drink inside Wembley as the whistle blewCredit: AFPFans cheer on England in Box Park in Wembley as they kick offCredit: EPAA man holds his head in his hands as Phil Foden hits the postCredit: PAFans react to the City star rattling the woodwork in the opening few minutes in NottinghamCredit: SWNSThe tension was palpable in Birmingham todayCredit: PAA fan in Manchester shows off his red and white war paintCredit: PAJesse Lingard was among those watching the action on TVCredit: Instagram @jesselingardFans watch on the big screen at London’s Vinegar YardCredit: PASupports in Manchester clap after the national anthemCredit: GettyFans in Vinegar Yard cheer as the game kicks offCredit: PAManchester fans raise their arms as the whistle blowsCredit: PAEastEnders’ Shaun Williamson leads a chorus of the national anthem in Box ParkCredit: PAAn England fan gets into the spirit in WappingCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSupporters hold up their shoes at Box Park as the football gets underwayCredit: The SunLondon’s Skylight Bar is packed with fansCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdA topless fan dances in Wembley cheered on by his matesCredit: GettySupporters are on the beers today as the sun shines down on the Three LionsCredit: Getty
England last hosted a major tournament 25 years ago for Euro 1996 – one Gareth Southgate will definitely want to forget after missing a crucial penalty in the semi-finals.
But his young team being led out under Wembley’s arch combined with a 30C heatwave has put a smile on the nation’s faces after a devastating 15 months.
A year-long delay to the tournament due to Covid also means excitement simmering under the surface has now exploded across the country.
Fans have been urged to rally behind the troops, give Covid the middle finger and finally allow hope to cut through the bleakness of the pandemic.
The atmosphere is palpable in WembleyCredit: GettyBox Park in Wembley is packed with England supportersCredit: LNPIt’s Coming Home is already on the lips of England supportersCredit: LNPTrafford Park in Manchester is filled with fansCredit: PAFans join the action at Trafford ParkCredit: PAFans sing and dance as the atmosphere swells at WembleyCredit: GettyLads with beers show their support for the first group gameCredit: Getty
The virus has dampened the tournament – with just 22,500 fans allowed in for the match – but they still roared loudly enough for the missing supporters.
An official fan zone set up in London’s Trafalgar Square was attended by 750 key workers invited to to watch the match on a big screen.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the excitement of the Euros was needed after “the darkness and trauma” of the pandemic.
Speaking at the official fan zone, he added: “We’ve invited our amazing key workers to thank them for all they’ve done for our city.
“They’ve gone above and beyond over the last 18 months … this is our way to thank them.
“You can tell how excited I am I’m one of the first people here … bring it home. It’ll be nice to see people face to face, facial expressions, body language.
“The best thing about football is that it brings people together.”
Addressing the England team directly, he said: “To Gareth (Southgate) and the entire England squad, London is behind you. Bring it home.”
Other fans flooded Box Park in Croydon and Wembley to watch Our Boys throughout the tournament.
VoucherCodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research reckon £300million will be spent in pubs and restaurants.
Fans will also down a whopping 50million pints and eat their way through 30million burgers and 20million sausages.
Confident fans are already chanting It’s Coming HomeCredit: GettyCelebrations are underway in Box Park in WembleyCredit: LNPA group of mates in Vinegar Yard in London Bridge todayCredit: PAGirls pose with a Gareth Southgate cutout in HastingsCredit: PABeer falls from the sky as England fans spray booze over WembleyCredit: GettyThe excitement has exploded as the tournament gets underway for EnglandCredit: GettyOne lad has shaved the England fan into his chest hairCredit: PAFans could be seen queuing to get into the outdoor barCredit: PAA fan quenches his thirst in the scorching heatCredit: RexFans at the Skylight Bar in Wapping todayCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe heatwave and excitement from the football has brought England togetherCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSmoke fills the air as lucky fans make their way into the stadiumCredit: AlamyEngland fans cheers to the Three LionsCredit: ReutersIt was a calmer affair in Trafalgar Square, which is an official fan zoneCredit: i-ImagesKey workers have been invited to watch the game on the big screen at Trafalgar SquareCredit: i-Images
Boozy Brits take to the streets amid sweltering heatwave before England kick off against Croatia
