OH WHAT A NIGHT!
Euro 2020: England fans dance the night away and even scale poles after beating Germany 2-0… with all eyes on Saturday
THRILLED England fans will be waking up with sore heads this morning after dancing the night away as they celebrated the Three Lions' historic win against Germany at Wembley.
Boozy supporters scaled poles and chanted "It's Coming Home" after goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane sent England into the Quarter Finals.
⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
The wild night of celebrations across the country will mean some fans will face a groggy morning after the historic win - with all eyes now on the Quarter Final on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate's men will face Ukraine in Rome in the Quarter Finals after Andriy Shevchenko's team triumphed over Sweden in extra time.
Major cities were packed with boozy fans celebrating England's triumph over their old rivals.
In London, Trafalgar Square was heaving with supporters, while footage showed crowds chanting "It's coming home" in Soho.
Fans also climbed up on to the Shaftesbury Fountain in Piccadilly Circus, belting out "Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be, we're going to Wembley, que sera, sera".
In Manchester, pints were hurled in the air during chaotic scenes as fans celebrated the win.
While Leeds locals danced in the streets in England shirts as the country dared believe it could come home.
And Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton were among those roaring from the stands at Wembley as Gareth Southgate's men sailed into the next round.
You can't beat a bit of 'Sweet Caroline', can you? That's a belter, really
Gareth Southgate after England's historic win
The historic victory - England's first against Germany in a major tournament since 1966 - leaves the Three Lions with a clear path to the final with either Czech Republic or Denmark waiting in the semis.
It could set up a mouthwatering final clash at Wembley against favourites Belgium, Italy, Spain or Switzerland.
Wembley erupted in the second half as Raheem Sterling - the Three Lions' star man of the tournament - broke the deadlock in the 75th minute with a tidy finish from Luke Shaw's low cross.
And just eleven minutes later, Harry Kane sent England fans wild as he headed in the second goal from a perfectly weighted Jack Grealish ball - leaving the Germans stunned.
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
It came after a nail biting first half - with both teams enjoying chances at either end.
The Three Lions settled into the game after a nervy start - enjoying the majority of possession.
Raheem Sterling drew a save from Manuel Neuer after early pressure from the Germans - with Declan Rice booked for a foul on Leon Goretzka perilously close to the penalty area.
But the Germans took control early in the second half, with Jordan Pickford stretching to save a thumping shot from midfielder Kai Havertz.
Timo Werner also had a shot saved by Jordan Pickford, while defender Harry Maguire saw a header float over the bar at the other end.
But it was skipper Harry Kane who enjoyed the best chance of the first half - drawing a desperate save from Neuer.
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
It was the introduction of Aston Villa star Jack Grealish in the second half that turned the game in England's favour.
The midfielder, who came on to replace Bukayo Saka, played a part in Raheem Sterling's opener before crossing to Kane to nod it home and wrap up a 2-0 win.
It capped a resilient performance and an incredible night for manager Gareth Southgate, who famously missed a penalty against the Germans in Euro 1996.
Ex-England defender Tony Adams, who played alongside Southgate, tweeted: "Redemption for Southgate".
The mood in Wembley and across the country was euphoric as the whistle blew, with midfielder Declan Rice saying his team had created a "piece of history".
He told the BBC: "In the press conferences all week the players have been asked about the previous games against Germany and today we created our own piece of history.
"We've made the most of our opportunity today and it was a pleasure to be out on the pitch."
'I FEEL ECSTATIC'
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."
Pubs across the country were heaving with elated fans.
Londoner Anthony Robinson, 34, watched the match with his mum Sue Bedding, 59, at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square.
He said: "I feel ecstatic. You've got to be optimistic about things like this."
One German-English couple said their relationship was still "very much intact" after the tense encounter.
Adam Cox, who lives in Bournemouth with his German wife Janina Cox, said: "There was a lot of shouting for the first goal from me, she was holding her head in her hands."
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
46
Capacity at Wembley Stadium doubled to 45,000 for yesterday's game with England given the home advantage.
Young Prince George was also seen watching the match alongside footie-mad dad William, with the pair wearing matching suits and England ties.
Boris Johnson also posted a clip of himself cheering after Harry Kane's 2nd half strike, and later tweeted: "Well done England. We're all behind you - bring it home!"
Ed Sheeran and David Beckham were among the celebs roaring on the Three Lions from a VIP box at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate last night heaped praise on England's "immense" players after the morale-boosting victory - and said the roar of fans at Wembley got them over the line.
"I think the players were immense," the gaffer said. "Right the way through the team they were immense.
"They have given the fans in the stadium - who were also incredible - a great day.... They were behind every challenge and every run and the energy was incredible inside the stadium.
"So to be able to send them home feeling as they do tonight, to hear them at the end... I mean, you can't beat a bit of 'Sweet Caroline', can you? That's a belter, really."
Southgate's choice to go with a more defensive lineup for the match paid dividends - with the Three Lions securing their fourth clean sheet of the tournament.
Harry Kane, who has faced criticism for failing to score in England's group games, also admitted that it was a relief to break his scoring duck for the tournament.
"Any striker wants to be scoring goals, so it's nice to score my first in this tournament.
"Hopefully I can score a couple more. Any team will be looking at us and know that we're dangerous."
FOOTIE FANS FACE STRUGGLE TO GET TO ROME
England will play Ukraine in Rome in the Quarter Final of the Euros - but Italy's Covid-19 restrictions mean that most England fans will struggle to get to the showdown with Ukraine.
- In order to get to Italy, Brits will need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken 48 hours before departure.
- Upon arrival, UK passengers must fill in one the of the European Union's passenger locator forms, before hunkering down for five days of isolation.
- Even if you touch down first thing on Wednesday, the earliest you will be out is Sunday - subject to a second Covid-19 test - meaning you will probably be watching the game from a hotel room.
- The only way you are likely to avoid the isolation requirement is if you are a member of transport crew, or can prove that you are in Italy for "work, health or emergency".
The crunch clash is one of the oldest rivalries in football - dating back more than five decades.
The Three Lions lifted the Jules Rimet trophy thanks to goals from legends Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
But what followed until last night's victory was 55 years of hurt for England while Germany enjoyed world dominance at major tournaments.
The rivalry has been bolstered by heartbreaking penalty shootouts and controversial disallowed goals.
In the 1970 World Cup, it was West Germany that put an end to England's campaign in extra time.
Gazza's tears were then shared by the whole country after England crashed out of the 1990 World Cup semi-final on penalties.
46
46
46
46
46
Most read in Euro 2020
Just six years later, there was more penalty heartache after England gaffer Gareth Southgate missed the back of the net in the 1996 Euro semi-final.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Frank Lampard fell victim to the biggest injustice since Maradona's "hand of God" at the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
The ex-Chelsea star's "ghost goal" clearly made it over the line but without VAR, it was ruled out by the ref and England suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat.
Prince William, Kate and George go wild over England win as they join Beckhams for Euros 2020 historic victory
Topics