FOOTBALL IS HOME
Euro 2020:England fans go wild in packed pubs as England beat Croatia 1-0 at Wembley with Raheem Sterling winner
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.
⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
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.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
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.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
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.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
The virus has dampened the tournament - with just 22,500 fans allowed in for the match today - but they still roared loudly enough for the missing supporters.
An official fan zone set up in London's Trafalgar Square eas 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.
67
"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."
Most read in Euro 2020
Other fans flooded Box Park in Croydon and Wembley to watch Our Boys throughout the tournament.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
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.
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
67
Boozy Brits take to the streets amid sweltering heatwave before England kick off against Croatia
Topics