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A smiling Gareth Southgate and his England team looked in high spirits as they emerged for a training session this morning after yesterday’s stunning victory over Germany brought the nation to fever pitch – with fans now scrambling to book their spots at pubs for Saturday’s quarter final against Ukraine.
Millions of supporters piled into pubs across the nation yesterday as England finally defeated their old rivals after 55 years of hurt. Celebrations continued long into the night, with drinks flowing and streets packed with jubilant fans.
More than 27 million people tuned in to watch the victory, making it the most watched show of 2021 and the eight most-watched broadcast of all-time – despite the match kicking off at 5pm with many supporters still at work.
With the quarter final at 8pm and on a Saturday, yesterday’s figure is expected to be smashed, potentially even threatening the record for most watched UK show of all-time, when 32.3 million watched the 1966 World Cup Final – the last time England beat Germany in a tournament before yesterday.
Fans are now rushing to secure their pub seats, while venues are scrambling to secure TVs and space ahead of the weekend’s match.
One supporter tweeted today: ‘I managed to book a large pub table for Saturday as I was still celebrating the win. Now, who do we invite!’
Another said: ‘Booking a pub in London for the game on Saturday is basically impossible.’
Retail experts are predicting a spending frenzy ahead of the game – though restaurants fear swathes of no-shows as England fans decide to head to the pub or stay home to watch the game instead of going out for dinner.
One restaurant wrote: ‘We’re guessing a few people’s plans have changed for Saturday after England’s win. If you had a restaurant booking for Saturday but are now cheering on England please remember to either cancel your booking or bring it forward to before the match. Please, no more #NoShows!’
Another added: ‘What a result last night. We’re still on a high and excited for the quarter final at 8pm on Sat. We have one thing to ask – if you’re booked in for Saturday evening but want to watch the football instead, please, please can you cancel your reservation. Thank you!’
England manager Gareth Southgate was all smiles today as he led a training session after yesterday’s victory against Germany
Gareth Southgate reacts as Steve Holland, Assistant Head Coach of England, and defender Conor Coady interact during an England training session
The England was joined by some of the players who didn’t make it onto the pitch yesterday as the team looks forward to Saturday’s quarter final against Ukraine
Fans react to a near-miss as they watch the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the 4TheFans fan park at Hastings Pier in Hastings
Fans watch the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the Vinegar Yard pub in London
Harry Kane of England celebrates with Harry Maguire and team mates after scoring their side’s second goal
Goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane sent England to the quarter finals of Euro 2020 yesterday and gave them a first win against the Germans in a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup final.
All eyes are now on Rome as England prepare to take on Ukraine in the quarter finals on Saturday – with the Three Lions seen as overwhelming favourites to advance.
However, they will have to do so without the stirring support that aided them at Wembley last night as Covid restrictions mean that any UK travellers to Italy will have to isolate for five days upon arrival – making it impossible for fans to fly out in time.
The FA is instead attempting to encourage expats to attend the game with an estimated 30,000 UK citizens living in Italy. The stadium will have a capacity of just 18,000, with England getting a ticket allocation of just over 2,000.
Tickets will be available at the UK embassy in Rome, however, there is no system in place for snapping up seats, leading to fears phone lines will be overwhelmed.
Saturday’s crowd will be a vast contrast to the 45,000 who filled Wembley stadium to watch Southgate’s men outclass the Germans last night – the biggest crowd at an event seen since the pandemic began.
Prince William and Kate Middleton, who also attended, hailed England as lucky royal mascot Prince George saw the Three Lions triumph at his first international football match. After the match, the couple took to their official Twitter account to praise England’s ‘incredible performance’.
George was seen watching the match close to his avid football fan father, with the pair wearing matching suits and England ties. The Duke of Cambridge dotingly explained every twist and turn of the nail-biting match to his son – who is named after the patron saint of England – as they beamed from their box.
Football Association president William threw his fists into the air as his wife Kate clapped demurely when the final whistle blew.
It is hoped that yesterday’s stunning victory over the Germans will lead to a retail boost across the country before and during the Ukraine match.
Retail analyst Richard Hyman said: ‘Obviously everyone will be pleased. Even people who aren’t interested in football will know what’s happened and it’ll put smiles on people’s faces and make them feel more positive.
‘And maybe they’ll spend some more money, which will be good for the economy.’
Mr Hyman added: ‘I think that when people are positive they’re likely to spend more.
‘I think [the win] will be a boost but how long it lasts and how meaningful it is remains to be seen.’
The potential boost is expected to be even greater with sunshine forecast for this weekend.
It means millions of fans will gather in pubs, beer gardens and parks after several days of rain.
Supermarkets and takeaways are also expected to see a boost – with an even greater one expected if England carry on progressing.
They are favourites to beat Ukraine and are also expected to triumph against potential semi-final opponents Denmark or the Czech Republic.
Yesterday’s impressive victory over Germany caused jubilation across the UK.
Prince George watched as England crushed Germany 2-0 at his first international football match – as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane put the Three Lions into the Euro quarters finals
Harry Kane is piled on by Kyle Walker and team mates after scoring their side’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between England and Germany
Five million pints were sold during the win over Germany and with the next game being on a Saturday and at 8pm, we could see the number smashed during the Ukraine match
England fans celebrate during the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the 4TheFans fan park in Manchester
In fan zones across the country – including in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and London – overjoyed supporters were seen screaming as they celebrated.
While the number of fans at Wembley on Tuesday night was still just over half of its normal 90,000 capacity, it marked the biggest crowd at an event seen since the pandemic began last year.
The last time England beat out the Germans in the knockout phase of a major football tournament was when Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966.
The match kicked off to a nail-biting start, with West Ham player Declan Rice handed a yellow card in the first ten minutes.
And, just seconds before the half time whistle was blown, England captain Harry Kane had the ball robbed from him with the Germany goal wide open after a brilliant run by Raheem Sterling.
The second half saw Germany step up their play, but they still proved no match for Southgate’s side – with a fantastic save by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers when fan-favourite Jack Grealish replaced Bukayo Saka in the 68th minute, in a moved hoped to spark England’s side into their first goal.
England midfielder Declan Rice added: ‘It’s incredible. It is history. All the players were asked about the past games, but we created history.’ It took 74 minutes for Sterling to score the first goal and send the country into rapture.
As Germany pressed for an equaliser and fans’ nerves began fraying, captain Kane headed England into a 2-0 lead with five minutes to start pandemonium in the stands.
Summing up the mood of the nation, BBC commentator Guy Mowbray said: ‘All around this famous stadium, it is fevered, frenzied excitement. This is one of the landmark football moments that don’t come around too often.’
At the final whistle, the England players hugged each other as the significance of what they had achieved began to sink in.
After the match, Kane said: ‘There isn’t anything bigger than this when the expectation is on and we delivered, so we should be proud but we can’t stop here. We have a vision of where we want to go and we can’t stop now. Hopefully we’ll be back here in the semi-finals and the final.’
Jack Grealish took to Twitter to react after his team won. He wrote: ‘England 2-0 Germany! What a day. Fans were UNBELIEVABLE.’
As jubilant supporters celebrated – with thousands pouring out onto the streets in Three Lions jerseys – roads were left eerily deserted.
Millions tuned in to watch the highly anticipated game, with pubs and bars packed out with fans who stayed on to celebrate.
After the match, England boss Southgate revealed he had told the players after the game that he must be the ‘party-pooper’.
The win is a personal triumph for the manager, whose missed penalty in the semi-final of Euro 96 – also at Wembley – sent the Germans through.
‘It’s a brilliant afternoon,’ Southgate told BBC Sport. ‘We talked about bringing enjoyment to the nation really and afternoons like this are what that’s about.
‘The players were absolutely immense, right the way through the team and the fans were as well. Only 40,000, but it’s as good an atmosphere as I can remember at Wembley.
‘We played extremely well. I think we deserved the win, but I’ve had to say to them (the players) straight away, look, ‘I’m the party-pooper because if we don’t capitalise on that on Saturday now, then it doesn’t count for anything’.’
Southgate was full of praise for both his goalscorers Sterling and Kane.
‘Raheem, well they both have to constantly, has to prove people wrong all the time and Raheem has been immense for us over three, four years,’ Southgate said told the BBC.
‘He knows we’ve got faith in him, we’ve got that trust in him and his performances have been electric, right from the start.
‘For Harry it was a really important moment I think. When you’re a centre-forward it doesn’t matter what else you’re doing in the game, you need those goals and I was pleased to see the second one go in I have to say.’
Southgate was asked if his side’s win helped ease the memory of his penalty shoot-out miss in 1996.
The former England defender said: ‘I’m just so pleased. I was looking at the big screen and I saw David Seaman up there, the teammates that played with me, I can’t change that, so that’s always going to hurt.
‘But what’s lovely is we’ve given people another day to remember and now we’ve got to go and do it in Rome.’
England football fans celebrate the opening goal in the England vs Germany game at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham
Fans watch the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the Vinegar Yard pub in London
England fans celebrate during the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the 4TheFans fan park in Manchester
Supporters celebrate the second England goal as England play Germany for a place in the Euro 2020 Quarter Finals at the 4TheFans Fan Park at Event City in Manchester
England fan celebrate in Boxpark, Croydon after England’s Harry Kane scored their second goal
England fans in Manchester react after Raheem Sterling scored the first goal in UEFA European Championship game against Germany
Among those fans celebrating were the Cambridges, Prince George, Ed Sheeran and David Beckham who all attended the match
Young Prince George was seen watching the match with his avid football fan father Prince William, with the pair wearing matching suits and FA ties. The Duke of Cambridge dotingly explained every twist and turn of the nail-biting match to his son, who beamed from their box
The young prince looked ecstatic as he cheered on England during the match at Wembley
Prince William pointed out features of the pitch to his son, as the pair watched the game in identical suits and ties
Players, fans and pundits alike reacted on social media after England scored a triumphant win against Germany at Wembley
As thousands celebrated the victory, the roads stood eerily still following England’s first knockout tournament win against Germany in 55 years
There wasn’t a car in sight on Westminster Bridge in London (above) or the A14 near Cambridge as the match began at 5pm yesterday
Goal scorer Sterling celebrates with his child following England’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship match against Germany
Fans were seen celebrating inside the stadium. England achieved a 2-0 victory over Germany
Following the win, celebrities shared their delight on social media.
Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘My God … it really might be coming home.’
The former Good Morning Britain host also shared a picture from Gareth Southgate’s penalty miss at Euro 96 at Wembley against Germany and contrasted it to a joyous snap of the England manager from Tuesday’s match.
‘Redemption,’ he wrote.
David Baddiel and Frank Skinner – who famously sang England anthem Three Lions – were also at Wembley and belted out the song alongside the other joyous supporters.
After the game, Baddiel shared a beaming picture alongside Olympic hero Mo Farah and wrote: ‘Might be coming home a bit faster with this lovely fellow on hand.’
A tweet from Ant and Dec’s official account read: ‘This … is … AMAZING!!! A.’
Former England captain Wayne Rooney wrote on Instagram: ‘Get in. Come on @england. Well done lads.’
Former Spice Girl Geri Horner said: ‘Come on England! Well done.’
Comedian John Bishop tweeted: ‘Well that was satisfying … ‘
Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared a picture showing him celebrating Kane’s decisive goal.
He wrote: ‘Well done England! We’re all behind you – bring it home!’
Meanwhile, fans also shared their joy at England’s triumph. Anthony Robinson, 34 – who lives in London and works in finance – watched the match with his mother Sue Bedding, 59, at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square.
Ms Bedding, an NHS worker, said she had come down from her home city of Nottingham so she could watch the match with her son.
Mr Robinson said: ‘I feel ecstatic. You’ve got to be optimistic about things like this. In the first 15 to 20 minutes it didn’t look like anything was going to happen, but the second half was brilliant.
‘The atmosphere here was crazy. We’re definitely pleased we came here to watch it. We were going to go to a pub to watch it but just thought, if England win it, to be here to watch it in Trafalgar Square is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s the next best thing to going to Wembley.
‘The fact that we managed to win it in 90 minutes too and didn’t have to go to penalties is incredible.’
German fans looked close to tears as they watched their team lose at the The New Crown British Pub in Iserlohn, Germany
German fans held their heads in their hands and drowned their sorrows in beer as they watched their side lose
German fans – who painted their faces in their country’s colours in anticipation – looked heartbroken after their team lost
One woman is seen with her hands on her head in disbelief as she watched from a pub in Palma de Mallorca
A crowd of German supporters attending a public viewing of the match at a beer garden in Berlin were downtrodden after their loss
On the pitch, England’s squad huddled together to celebrate after they beat Germany 2-0 at Wembley
The huge volumes of England fans at Wembley no-doubt pushed the team towards their triumphant win
England fans at the Trafalgar Square Fan Zone in London were seen celebrating their side’s win against Germany
There were scenes of celebration as England fans cheered. The Three Lions took home a 2-0 win against Germany
At the 4TheFans fan park in Manchester, fans screamed as they celebrated England’s win while wearing football jerseys and draped in flags
Kate Middleton and Prince William were seen speaking to David Beckham during the Germany v England match
Street parties broke out in Leeds as locals celebrated England’s win against Germany
Crowds gathered on the streets as they cheered for England after their win against Germany at Wembley
In Leeds, beer was thrown into the air as crowds cheered for England after they beat Germany during the match
Locals in Leeds celebrated England’s win with drinks outside a pub. England won their Euros 2020 clash with Germany
Locals in Leeds smiled as they posed for pictures while celebrating England’s 2020 win against Germany
At Newcastle’s Times Square, fans waved flags as they posed in England colours after their team won the match
Fans cheered as they ran down the road in celebration of England’s 2-0 win over Germany
One woman wearing an England jersey cheers as she celebrates her team’s win after the game in Leeds
Fans embrace each other as they cheer on England after their triumphant win in Wembley
One man is seen screaming as he cheers on his team at Boxpark in Croydon. Huge crowds gathered to watch
Supporters were seen cheering and screaming as they celebrated England’s 2-0 win against Germany
One woman screams as she poses for a picture at the 4TheFans fan park in Manchester after the match
Fans were over the moon with the win. Some are pictured hugging from inside their socially-distanced area at the 4TheFans Fan Park at Event City
Supporters are seen celebrating the first England goal at the 4TheFans Fan Park at Event City
The seven-year-old future king watched with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as Manchester City’s Sterling (pictured) first slotted the ball home during England’s titanic clash with its old rival at Wembley Stadium
Moments later, England captain Kane (pictured) headed the ball into the goal, with his side holding off Germany captain Manuel Neuer’s team all the way to the final whistle
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton are seen watching the match from the stands
Prince William is seen cheering after England scored against Germany – as his wife Kate Middleton and son George watch on
England fans were left biting their nails after the first half of their sides Euros clash against Germany ended in 0-0 – with captain Harry Kane missing a golden chance in the final seconds
Germany captain Manuel Neuer’s team joined England players in taking the knee before the fixture
Jack Grealish has been dropped in favour of Kieran Trippier in the only major change by England boss Gareth Southgate. Pictured: The England squad ahead of Tuesday’s game
The teams – with Germany’s squad on the right and England on the left – stand on the pitch prior to the match
Ms Bedding said: ‘I’m made up, it’s been an absolutely brilliant night. I remember the ’96 match and I was completely gutted when we lost. So now I’m quite optimistic for the rest of the Euros.’
Following the Germany result, bookmakers Coral made England 2-1 favourites to win the tournament, cutting the Three Lions from 9-2.
Earlier, Neuer’s team joined England players in taking the knee before the fixture in a stand against racism.
The protest act has been mired in controversy throughout the tournament, with the FA fearing unhappy crowds would boo players. But any discontent from spectators was drowned out by loud cheering from both sides on Tuesday.
The teams’ national anthems were a different story, with boos ringing out from the England-heavy crowd as Germany’s anthem played.
Both England captain Kane and his German counterpart Neuer wore rainbow armbands in support of Pride month during the showdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen watching the England v Germany match along with his wife Carrie
Manuel Neuer and Antonio Ruediger of Germany applaud after the national anthem prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between England and Germany
Capacity at Wembley Stadium doubled to 45,000 with England given the home advantage – although this is still just over half of its normal 90,000 capacity
England fans show their support on Wembley Way prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match against Germany
England players inspect the pitch ahead of the epic clash. Millions of fans will now be glued to their screens for the historic clash, with some no doubt well-refreshed after hitting the pub at 7am to grab a table
The game was soon off to a nail-biting start, with West Ham player Declan Rice given a yellow card in the first ten minutes (fans are seen reacting during the match)
Fans are seen cheering in the stadium. It marks the biggest crowd seen since the pandemic began last year
Kate, William and George were seen clapping during the match. They were seated in front of Ed Sheeran and David Beckham
Ed Sheeran greets David Beckham in the Royal Box at Wembley Stadium. They were seated a few rows behind the Royals
Ed Sheeran is seen speaking to David Beckham’s family while watching the match. They were seated a few rows behind Prince William and Kate Middleton
Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling are seen watching the match at Wembley. They join a star-studded cohort who turned out
Prince William is seen talking to David Beckham as they watched the match. Beckham was joined by his son
A woman is seen holding her hands to her mouth as the game kicks off to a nail-biting start on Tuesday evening
Fans are seen gathering in Boxpark, Croydon, during the match this evening. They are socially distanced to limit the spread of Covid
England football fans celebrate outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the match against Germany
Fans in Hastings kiss a Gareth Southgate cardboard cutout before they watch the UEFA Euro 2020 match against Germany
Gareth Southgate, head coach of England Steve Holland and assistant manager of England Graeme Jones stand for the national anthem
Fans are seen cheering while watching the England vs Germany game at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham, England
England’s Harry Kane appears injured during the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match against Germany
Mats Hummels of Germany vies with Kane and Germany’s Leon Goretzka during the match
Fans reacted in shock as the goal was narrowly missed. They are seen gathered in socially distanced tables in Manchester
Fans watch the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match between England and Germany at the Trafalgar Square Fan Zone in London
England football fans celebrated outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the match. Drinks were sprayed into the air as supporters cheered
England supporters sing the national anthem before kick-off at the 4TheFans Fan Park at Event City in Manchester
England supporters sing the national anthem with their hands on their hearts in Manchester ahead of the match
Germany and England fans in the stands prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16 match at Wembley Stadium, London
Former England player John Barnes is seen cheering along with fans as they prepared to watch the match
England fans cheered prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 match between England and Germany at Wembley stadium
Kate Middleton, Prince George and Prince William clap for the England team ahead of the match against Germany
Former England player David Beckham is seen greeting Prince George as his beaming parents watched on ahead of the match
Jack Grealish was dropped in favour of Kieran Trippier in the only major change by England boss Southgate ahead of the game.
Germany meanwhile made three alterations, with Chelsea’s Timo Werner restored along with Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller as Ilkay Gundogan, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane drop out of the side that drew 2-2 with Hungary.
The Three Lions have been pragmatic but somewhat underwhelming en route to the knockout stages, claiming two wins and a draw from their three Group D encounters without conceding a goal.
They now renew their long-standing rivalry with Germany, who squeezed through Group F – or the ‘group of death’ – to set up the eagerly-anticipated fixture.
Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer both urged employers to let their staff finish work early to watch the contest as football fans piled into pubs and thousands of supporters descended on Wembley and let off flares.
Around 45,000 fans were allowed into Wembley to watch Southgate’s squad battle the Germans for a place in the quarter-finals from 5pm, while millions more headed to their local – with some even hitting the boozers from as early as 7am this morning.
Three people were arrested at Wembley Stadium during Tuesday’s match. Met Police confirmed one male was arrested for racially aggravated common assault, and two males were detained for fraud by false representation.
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