England make history at Euros
FANS CELEBRATE AS THREE LIONS KNOCK OUT GERMANY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1966
FIFTY-FIVE years of hurt came to an end last night as England beat Germany in a major tournament for the first time since 1966.
Not since England’s famous World Cup Final victory had fans’ dreams been realised – but last night goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane saw England claim a 2-0 win.
The spirit of the triumphant crowd at Wembley was echoed in pubs and homes across Bristol and the South West.
Hundreds of fans gathered at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate home to watch the match, many of them returning to the venue they had last visited for their coronavirus vaccinations.
The Sports Bar at the stadium is home to the biggest indoor screen in England, although there were few highlights in a nervy opening 45 minutes.
A football fan outside the ground said that the city was in “chaos” as fans erupted with excitement after England’s massive win.
The away side dominated the early proceedings as England struggled for a foothold in the match before exerting some pressure of their own.
There were 40,000 supporters inside Wembley, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their seven-year-old son Prince George, with many wearing the colours of the home nation.
Other famous faces spotted in the crown included former Three Lions skipper David Beckham, and musician Ed Sheeran, who were sat side by side, and comedians Rob Beckett and Lloyd Griffith.
Outside, in designated fan zones, pub beer gardens and parks, fans gasped and held their heads in their hands as both sides traded blows in a scoreless first half of few real clear chances.
Under grey north-London skies, throngs of supporters headed to the match to belt out acapella renditions of England anthems, including the enduring crowd favourite Three Lions, with its familiar refrain of “football’s coming home” reverberating down Wembley Way.
Some supporters, eager to soak up the atmosphere inside the ground, took their seats more than two hours before the match started.
Many England supporters were not born the last time England faced Germany in the European Championships. Before a bumper Wembley crowd at the Euro 1996 semi-finals, England’s bid for silverware ended in disappointment as defender Gareth Southgate saw his penalty saved, and Germany advanced to the final.
Commentators have suggested England’s path to major tournament success for the first time in 55 years has rarely been easier – especially now all four teams from the so-called “group of death” have gone home.
England will face either Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals, with fans dreaming that football might really, truly, be finally coming home.