ENGLAND’S opening Euro 2024 win over Serbia drew huge viewing figures.
The Beeb revealed a peak audience of 15million tuned in to watch Jude Bellingham’s winner.
It was also streamed 3.5m times on iPlayer with an average audience of 10.5m watching on.
In comparison, the most-viewed match in UK history was England’s iconic 1966 World Cup final win over West Germany with 32.3m watchers.
It was the last time the Three Lions won a major tournament and there was a 55 YEAR wait to reach another final.
A sensational 31m watched as England suffered penalty heartbreak to Italy in the delayed Euro 2020 final.
READ MORE IN football
It was the second-most watched game on UK telly with only the 1966 final topping it.
England came under fire for their lacklustre second-half display despite taking the maximum three opening points.
The Three Lions were made to work for their win – something manager Gareth Southgate enjoyed.
He said: “We had to suffer a bit, which I think is really good for us. To defend the box the way we did was really good for us.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
MOST-VIEWED ENGLAND MATCHES
- England vs West Germany – 1966 World Cup final – 32.3m
- England vs Italy – Euro 2020 final – 31m
- England vs Croatia – 2018 World Cup semi-final – 26.5m
- England vs Denmark – Euro 2020 semi-final – 26.3m
- England vs West Germany – 1990 World Cup semi-final – 26.2m
“I was really pleased with a lot of the play. [In the] second half we didn’t keep it as well as I would have liked but to get the win is very important.
“Pleased we had to show a different side and show a resilience to defend our box because as a group, that builds a spirit.
“We defended very well as a unit.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
