Fans packed into pubs across the country cheer for joy as Three Lions take the lead

Pubs and bars across England have erupted in celebrations as Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane fired the Three Lions ahead against Senegal with two goals in quick succession. 

Fans were sent into raptures as the Liverpool midfielder slotted the ball into the Senegalese net at the 38 minute mark after a competitive start that saw both teams come close on several occasions.

After Henderson’s goal the Three Lions were a team transformed and began to put Senegal under increasing pressure.

Captain and star striker Harry Kane then added a second with the last kick of the half, sending England into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.

In south London, revellers at the Box Park in Croydon were covered in booze as the crowd duly honoured the tradition of tossing pints in the air in celebration of an England goal. 

Meanwhile in Newcastle’s Fan Zone, supporters were jumping on tables as the Spurs striker put the gloss on what initially was a cagey opening half. 

Supporters wary of Monday morning hangovers chanted: ‘Please don’t take me home, I just don’t want to go to work – I want to stay here and drink all the beer.’

An explosion of noise greeted England’s opening goal at the Lunar Springs football venue in Birmingham.

Hundreds of young fans bounced up and down, waved giant hands and chanted, ‘Football’s Coming Home’.

Drinks fell to the floor as supporters hugged one another with joy after Jordan Henderson opened England’s account, and rendition of ‘Football’s Coming Home’, sung to the tune of Atomic Kitten’s ‘Whole Again’ was still in full swing when Harry Kane doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, sending more drinks flying.

Railway worker Patrick Shield, 28, said: ‘We’ve had some nervy moments in that first half but we’re on our way now, just like I thought.

‘Nothing is getting in England’s way this time. I’m beginning to think winter World Cups suit us.’

Student Tracy Bobbins, 19, added: ‘I expect a lot more goals in the second half. Senegal will be desperate. I can see us getting five.’

A pair of goals from England in the first half sent fans into raptures (Box Park Croydon pictured)

England fans toss beer in the air in wild celebrations at Croydon Box Park

England football fans celebrate the opening goal during the England vs Senegal game at Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham

England fans go Wild at the 4TheFans Fan Park in Birmingham after England score their first goal against Senegal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Jordan Henderson of England celebrates with teammate Jude Bellingham after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between England and Senegal

Harry Kane of England scores the team’s second goal past Abdou Diallo of Senegal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between England and Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar

England fans hit the beers early this morning and continued throughout the day, calling on Gareth Southgate’s men to bring football home for Christmas ahead of their knockout tie against Senegal.

MailOnline spoke to punters in boozers across Britain to gauge the excitement and anticipation just hours before the Three Lions take to the field later today, with a whopping 15 million pints expected to be sunk across the country.

At The George pub, in Croydon, England flags were almost hidden among fairy lights, baubles and festive wreaths as supporters gathered for the last 16 game against Senegal.

Nathan Hurley, 25, said: ‘What better Christmas present than England lifting the World Cup? Although there may be more chance of Santa squeezing down my chimney on Christmas Eve.

‘Now we just need to actually win something!’

Pal Ryan Cater, 25, was more confident and said: ‘I think we’ll win, we’ve got a lot of firepower and as long we’re not overly defensive we should have too much for Senegal.

‘Hopefully England will give us some seasonal cheer and not play like turkeys!’

England fans gather at the fans zone at Central Park Newcastle to watch the Three Lions take on Senegal in the second round of the 2022 World Cup. Pictured (L-R) are Jayde Guy, Jemma Herring and Emily Henson

Pictured: Nathan Hurley (L) and Ryan Cater (R) speak to MailOnline in Croydon, South London, hours before kickoff. Hurley, 25, said: ‘What better Christmas present than England lifting the World Cup? Although there may be more chance of Santa squeezing down my chimney on Christmas Eve!’

Pictured: (Left to right) Blair Paine, Luke Streeter and Glenn Fisk are preparing for tonight’s match vs Senegal at a pub in Croydon

Box Park in Croydon, which is showing the game on big screens, is housing up to 1600 fans this evening, who have paid £25 for a ticket. 

Meanwhile in Newcastle, fans began piling into the Fan Zone from 3pm to secure prime seats to watch the match.

More than 1,200 fans were expected to cram into the Fan Zone – a temporary giant marquee near Newcastle Central station – for the crunch knock-out.

Pals Jayde Guy, 31, Emily Henson, 25, and Jemma Herring donned Three Lions shirts in Newcastle as they cheered: ‘It’s coming home for Christmas!’

Financial services worker Jayde said: ‘I’m feeling really positive. We’ve played some brilliant football and I don’t think Senegal will be able to cope.

‘I’m going to say 3-1 to England. And then beat France in the quarters. We might not be in Qatar but we are still roaring the boys on.’

Emily, an administrator from Newcastle, added: ‘It will bouncing in here later. Everyone is really excited – I think there will be high energy on the pitch and in the fan zone as well.’

Fans get ready for the England v Senegal Round of 16 World Cup football match as they watch the game on a large screen at Boxpark Croydon, south London

England fans gather at the fans zone at Central Park Newcastle to watch the Three Lions take on Senegal in the second round of the 2022 World Cup

Arriving at Box Park Croydon three hours before kick-off, friends Joe Vickers, 26, Charlotte Page, 24, Mel Lynch 25, Sarah White, 26 and 25-year-old Freya Clarke, wore Santa hats and said they hoped England would shine as bright as the fairy lights twinkling around the Christmas trees either side of the stairs leading down into the venue.

Charlotte, who wore a festive crown rather than a Santa hat, said: ‘I came here for the Wales game and it was a fantastic atmosphere so I’m hoping for more of the same tonight.’

Raucous football fans at Box Park famously launch pints of beer in the air when England score.

As supporters arrived through security, they were given ponchos to wear to avoid being soaked with booze.

Joe, from Chester, said: ‘To be honest, I’ll take being showered with beer all night long because it’ll mean England are scoring.

‘I don’t think we’ll take Senegal lightly, but you hope England will turn up and do the business.

‘It seems weird wearing a Santa hat and watching a World Cup game next to a Christmas tree with almost freezing temperatures outside… but if England win, we can start the festivities early!’

England fans at BOXPARK Wembley in London, watch a screening of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of Sixteen match between England and Senegal

England Supporters at Box Park Croydon pile in to watch England vs Senegal in the last 16 knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup which is taking place in Doha, Qatar

England fans at the Mayfield Depot in Manchester, before watching a screening of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of Sixteen match between England and Senegal

(L-R): England fans Vicky Armitage, Nicki Capacci, Nikki Wilson, Clare Shephard, Steve Armitage, Rob Capacci and Andy Shephard, at The Wellington in Waterloo, London

James, 43, from Birmingham, speaking to MailOnline from a Wetherspoon in Victoria, said: ‘It’s going to be a very tough game’ but added ‘we are going to win the World Cup’

James, 43, from Birmingham, speaking to MailOnline from a Wetherspoon’s in Victoria, London, said: ‘It’s going to be a very tough game. They are a very physical team Senegal are, it’s going to be a very tough game. 

‘We need to play Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford,’ he added. ‘We need the same team that wins, like the last game. I am super excited, I think we are going to win and I’m predicting a 2-1 win to England. We are going to win the World Cup — it’s coming home.’

‘Glenn Fisk, 63, from Haywards Heath, Sussex, told MailOnline’s reporters in Croydon: ‘It’s bizarre watching the match with Christmas decorations on the wall and I think this is the coldest I’ve ever been for an England World Cup game – but I’m hoping the lads will warm our spirits.’

Luke Streeter, 36, from East Grinstead, Sussex added: ‘I’ve really enjoyed this World Cup so far because there’s been so many surprises and it’s not just been the established sides who have gone through to the later stages.

‘England were pretty good in the group, we qualified with the best record so we’ve obviously got the talent and ability, but this is knockout football and anything can happen. We need to keep cool heads.

‘Rashford for me is looking brighter than he did at last year’s Euros so I think he may well be our key man tonight.’

England fans gather at the fans zone at Central Park Newcastle to watch the Three Lions take on Senegal in the second round of the 2022 World Cup. Pictured are Hannah Douglas (left) and Amelia Weight

A group of lads from Brighton enjoy a early drink at a pub near Tower Bridge ahead of tonight’s round of 16 clash vs Senegal

England fan Colin Evans poses with pooch Remus at the Grant Ames Pub in Birmingham

From left to right: Chris Kingdon, Ian Davis, Brian Allen, Michael Ball, all in their 50s from Abingdon in Wetherspoon’s, ready for England’s game with Senegal on Sunday

England fans Colin Evans and Pete Lennon getting ready for the England v Senegal game later at the Grant Ames Pub in Birmingham

Pino Dervishi, 40, from London and Samantha Dixon, 31, from Birmingham, are pictured enjoying drinks in London ahead of tonight’s match between England and Senegal

Rob Henney, 30, who is the general manager of the Paxton’s Head in Belgravia said: ‘I’m feeling quite positive. I think we are going to do very well and we will progress. I think tonight we will win about 3-1’

At the Gunner Tavern in Newcastle city centre England fans were boozing well ahead of kick off.

College manager Chris Byrne had his cheeks painted with the St George Cross and an England flag draped across his shoulders.

Newcastle United fan Chris, 37, said: ‘Normally I bleed black and white for Newcastle but right now it’s red and white for England.

‘For me, it’s always country over club. The whole nation is united in wanting the same thing.’

Rob Henney, 30, who is the general manager of the Paxton’s Head in Belgravia said: ‘We are fully booked out in here tonight. People are going to be able to watch it on all three floors. It’s been crazy so far and now the knock out stages are underway it’s getting even busier.

‘I’d like to see England get through to the semis, I think that it would be a good achievement after getting to the finals of the Euros but I would obviously like to see us go all the way this time.’

England fans in Leeds wear festive outfits and hold the flag the night before England’s game with Senegal on Sunday

 Saint George’s Cross flags on display at the Kirby Estate, Bermondsey, ahead of the England vs Senegal football World Cup Clash

Pubs, bars and eateries are rammed as punters pile in for tonight’s last-16 clash against the Lions of Taranga.

Experts predict a bumper £22m will be spent in the nation’s pubs and up to £175m in supermarkets for matchday essentials today. 

Some £53m will be spent on new TVs and electricals, £34,7 on sportswear and £11.2m on souvenirs, according to a vouchercodes.co.uk World Cup Spending Report.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said pub-goers will guzzle 15 million pints today, with thousands expected to have booked off work tomorrow.

Around £94m is expected to be spent across the whole hospitality sector. 

Matt Todd, who runs the Wonston Arms in the Hampshire hamlet of Wonston, near Winchester, said a successful England World Cup run would be an ‘early Christmas present’ for small pubs.

The CAMRA pub-of-the-year has been a public house since the 1800s but faced an uncertain future during the pandemic, where it was unable to open for months because it does not serve food.

At Rossiter’s Organic Butchers in Birmingham, punters were lining up to buy special Bellingham bangers — named after the England prodigy, 19

Blues fan Steve, 55, said: ‘Everyone loves the Bellingham bangers — except for the Aston Villa fans. The sausages have a peppery kick to them — and we hope Jude will be peppering the Senegalese goal’

Mr Todd, 54, said: ‘The World Cup is running over what would normally be our quietest weeks of the year.

‘The first three England games saw our sales 320% up on this time last year.

‘A good cup run will mean tills ringing louder and longer for me as a publican. The knockouts will drive more people into pubs craving that big match atmosphere.

‘Our cellar is stocked full of beer for tonight and the phone has not stopped ringing with people wanting seats.’ 

At Rossiter’s Organic Butchers in Birmingham, punters were lining up to buy special Bellingham bangers, named after the England prodigy. 

The sausages – which contain Gloucester old spot pork spiced with pepper and chilli – were the brainchild of master butcher Steve Rossiter, 55.

Bellingham played for Birmingham City before making a big-money move to German club Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

Blues fan Steve, 55, said: ‘Everyone loves the Bellingham bangers — except for the Aston Villa fans.

‘The sausages have a peppery kick to them — and we hope Jude will be peppering the Senegalese goal.

‘Jude is a proper West Midlands lad and we are all so proud of how far he has gone.’

England fans line the streets in the Souq area of Doha ahead of tonight’s match with Senegal

England fan Carl is pictured with Senegal fans in Doha. Senegalese football fans based in the UK have decided where their loyalties lie as they gear up for Sunday’s World Cup clash

England fans Tom Egerton (left) and Tom King (right), at the Cabana Hop Garden in Doha

The Chestergate pub in Stockport meanwhile has changed its name to The Southgate in honour of the England boss. 

According to data consultancy CGA Insight, England’s first World Cup game with Iran netted an 62% uplift in beer sales.

Spending in pubs, bars and clubs rose by 20.5% for the Wales game compared with the same day in 2021.

UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: ‘Big, televised sporting events always provide a boost to pubs and this comes at a particularly helpful time, as businesses struggle to cover rising costs and footfall decreases with consumers tightening their spending.

‘Pubs will be putting in a huge amount of time, effort and resource to offer the ideal place to watch the football but many are still suffering from a lack of staff, so we’d encourage all visitors to be patient with bar staff while they work during one of the busiest times of the year.’

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: ‘Pubs were hoping for a boost to business during this World Cup and so far, the beer has been flowing, and fans have been showing up to cheer on England.

‘The tournament has been filling up pubs on days that otherwise might be quieter, and we’re hoping that trend continues in the next couple of weeks.

‘It’s been a tough year for our industry, and we know people are feeling the pinch but we’re really hoping fans continue to turn out to support two great British institutions by toasting to the Three Lions at their local pub. We’ll be keeping everything crossed because when England do well, so do our pubs!’

In Doha, England fans started gathering early in bars located in and around the city’s four and five star hotels as they knocked back the pints in preparation for the last 16 knock out clash while others hit the city’s malls for some shopping and to enjoy the air conditioning.

Tim Reed, 63 from Ipswich, Suffolk said: ‘We’re going to win 2-1. I’m really looking forward to the match and am getting very excited about it.

‘The only problem is that I’m supposed to fly home after the game so if England do get to the quarter-finals I might have to fly back. It’s been a fantastic tournament so far and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.’

Kevin Cassidy, 43 from Leeds said: ‘I follow England all over the world and at last we’re looking like a team that can win something. We’ve come close recently but this time I think we’re going to do it.’

England fans in the Souq area of Doha, ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of Sixteen match between England and Senegal

Fans of Senegal dance at the traditional market Souq Waqif during the World Cup in Doha

Senegalese football fans based in the UK have decided where their loyalties lie.

Veronique Sow is from Senegal and will support them against England but has lived in Sutton, south London, for five years and said she expects ‘a very tough match’ on Sunday, which her close friend and the team’s injured star, Sadio Mane, is set to miss.

‘He’s very sad because the World Cup is a very, very big competition,’ the 31-year-old, who works for music streaming company Deezer, told the PA news agency.

‘He’s our best player… But we are doing quite well without him. And that’s why everyone is shocked because we are playing very well without him.

‘Whatever the outcome of the match, I will be happy because Senegal is my country and England is my adoptive country.’

Ms Sow and Mane first met when she was working for the Senegalese Football Federation 10 years ago.

England fans with a Stockport County flag, in the Souq area of Doha,

Ms Sow is from Senegal and will support them against England but has lived in Sutton, London, for five years and said she expects ‘a very tough match’ on Sunday

‘I support Senegal and England but for this game, I have made a choice and I will support Senegal. If we lose, I will come back and then support England for the rest of the World Cup.’

Aziz Ndiaye, 52, is also from Senegal but holds dual citizenship as he has lived in the UK since 1996 when he came to study at the University of Westminster.

Mr Ndiaye, an accountant based in Greenwich, told PA he is ‘pretty confident’ Senegal will win but described conflicting family ties as his 11-year-old son, Jules, will back England.

‘He might not have supper, depending on the results,’ Mr Ndiaye joked.

‘I would rather not play (England) because they are my two countries, but it’s football.

‘I’m feeling pretty confident, even though we’ve been given 1% of a winning chance against England.’