JUBILANT fans today went wild at packed pubs across the country after England won their first-ever Euro opener.
Beer rained down on excited supporters as they chucked pints in the air in celebration of today’s landmark 1-0 win against Croatia.
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England fans celebrate our first-ever Euro openerCredit: PASupporters dared to dream it COULD come home after the 1-0 winCredit: LNPBars packed with supporters erupted as England wonCredit: PALondoners fill the streets as the curse was liftedCredit: w8mediaA 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 scored the game’s only goalCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate celebrates as England’s opening game curse is liftedCredit: EPASterling is mobbed by his teammatesCredit: PA
After a nail-biting first half that saw Phil Foden hit the post, cheers rang out across the country as Raheem Sterling scored a 57-minute screamer.
Grown men leapt into each other’s arms as England’s Euro campaign successfully got underway.
Fans had been hoping England would get their revenge after Croatia’s 109-minute goal in extra time of the semi-finals sent England packing at the 2018 World Cup.
They 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 today – but it’s hoped they can roar loudly enough for the missing supporters.
Those attending also need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test before entry.
An official fan zone has been set up in London’s Trafalgar Square for 750 key workers 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 have been invited to Box Park in Croydon and Wembley to watch Our Boys throughout the tournament.
They were already queuing to get into Box Park, which is also showing the Group D clash on the big screen, early this morning.
Around 15million people will tune in for the match on the BBC today – the highest TV audience for sport since 2018.
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
