WINTER WONDERLAND
World Cup: Beers go flying in pubs as jubilant England fans celebrate record start with millions going wild at home
RAUCOUS England fans went wild today as the rampant Three Lions dominated in Qatar in our best-ever World Cup opener.
Supporters in pubs across the country chucked their pints in the air and embraced each other as England won 6-2 against Iran.
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Fans refused to let the dreary weather put them off as the first-ever winter World Cup campaign for England began.
Jude Bellingham kicked off the goals when he hit the back of the net with a stunning header in his first international goal.
England hero Bukayo Saka then volleyed a ball in, followed by Raheem Sterling just three minutes later.
Arsenal star Saka then shot through two defenders to help England go 4-0 up.
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There was a slight humbling though in the form of Taremi, who helped Iran claw back to 4-1.
But super-sub Marcus Rashford responded just minutes later with a stunning goal on his first touch of the game in a moment of redemption for the Utd star.
Jack Grealish then helped England dominate the first game with a stunning shot in the dying minutes.
A soft penalty saw Iran score a second - bringing the final score to 6-2.
The stunning win beats the Three Lions previous biggest World Cup opener of 3-1.
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There were cheers as God Save the King was played for the first time at a World Cup following the Queen's death.
Chants of It's Coming Home have filled the air as excitement reached fever pitch.
Usually bustling cities became eerie ghost towns after millions of Brits called in sick to roar their support for Gareth Southgate's men.
In Orsett, Essex, excited supporters headed to The King's Arm pub at 5.45am to get the beers in early.
While Boxpark Wembley was packed out with fans who arrived early for a pint despite the 1pm kick off.
Bizarrely, EastEnders star Shaun Williamson joined singer Olly Murs to get supporters in the mood with a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline.
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Today has been branded Bunk Off Monday in honour of the early kick-off - with up to 11 million people planning to pull a sickie.
Figures showed there was less congestion on city roads this morning as workers swerved the office in favour of working from home.
Brits are expected to down nine million pints and eat five million pizzas as the tournament gets underway.
The jubilant scenes are a world away from the travelling fans after Qatar controversially U-turned earlier this week and banned alcohol from being sold at all stadiums.
It means that the only official place where fans can have a drink will be the Doha city centre official Fan Festival, which is flogging Budweiser for almost £12.
Despite this, England fans have managed to hunt out places to sink a pint.
Many have taken to social media to show off their wares - despite the country's strict rules on alcohol.
One shared an image from an Irish pub of a table of £12 pints, saying it was "worth every penny".
Some fans even claimed they had a wild night partying in a palace with the son of one of the Qatari Sheikhs.
Fans will be hoping the Three Lions can finally end 56 years of hurt and bring the World Cup home.
England heartbreakingly missed out on winning Euros last year with an agonising penalty shootout to Italy in the final.
This year's World Cup has been branded the most controversial ever - with allegations of corruption to outrage over the country's human rights practices.
Thousands of migrant workers have reportedly died in the Qatari construction industry since the World Cup was awarded to them in 2010.
Some football players have also raised concerns over the rights of fans travelling to the event - especially LGBT+ individuals and women, who rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.
In Qatar, being gay is illegal and is punishable under the country's penal code with up to seven years in prison or even the death penalty for Muslims under sharia law.
A tournament ambassador for Qatar was recently slammed after describing homosexuality as "damage in the mind" less than two weeks before the contest kicks off.
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England skipper Harry Kane had vowed to defy any Fifa moves to ban the “One Love” rainbow armband - despite facing a booking.
But the captain is not wearing the band after England and six other European nations pulled out of using the LGBT+ symbol.
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