This could finally be the year that footballs coming home, as England beat Germany 2-0 on Tuesday night. Gareth Southgate’s side will now travel to Rome for the Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine on Saturday.
41,973 fans attended Wembley to witness England’s victory. Meanwhile, Ukraine won their last 16 game against Sweden by 2-1 after extra time.
Tuesday’s match was a tense game, but England’s victory was sealed by two late goals from Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Fans celebrated the historic win as their team are on the way to reaching the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in 25 years.
England manager Southgate says the team are already talking about Saturday, and describes it as “a dangerous moment” for them all. They will enter the game on a high and in the “warmth of success”. The whole country is behind them as they face the “immense challenge” to perform, and just need “to turn up to win the thing”.
England and Germany have a long history of rivalry in football. This is England’s first victory in a knockout tie between the two teams since they won the 1966 World Cup final.
A carnival atmosphere
Jubilant scenes filled the stadium, and a carnival atmosphere swept across the nation in celebration of the joyous moment. When Sterling scored the first goal, the crowd went wild.
Former England captain Alan Shearer can’t ever remember crowds so loud at Wembley for an England game. He says it was “incredible”, especially since there was a reduced capacity.
Before the tournament began, people hoped that the squad could give the whole nation something to smile and feel good about. We’ve all been locked up for the last 18 months, and the great occasion last night was well worth the wait.
The tournament draw has worked out well for England with Saturday’s match the only game they will play outside of Wembley. If they beat Ukraine, they will go on to play either the Czech Republic or Denmark in the semi-finals.
Among the crowds of roaring supporters at Wembley was FA president Prince William with his wife and seven year old son Prince George. They were seen cheering as each goal went in. Alongside them in the Royal Box were former England captain David Beckham and singers Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding.
Comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, who famously sang England anthem Three Lions, were also in the crowd. Baddiel described it as “beautiful” to hear everyone belting out the familiar refrain “Footballs coming home” at the end of the match.
Elsewhere, supporters gathered in designated fan zones and pubs across the country, and a party atmosphere broke out in Trafalgar Square. Fans ripped off their shirts and danced on tables. The streets of London were filled with celebrations, with crowds gathering in Leicester Square and supporters climbing the Shaftesbury Fountain in Piccadilly Circus.
No goals conceded
Germany now join other heavyweights leaving the competition, including world champions France and previous Euro winners Portugal.
Meanwhile, England have not conceded a goal yet in the tournament, winning three games and drawing one. This is the first time a team has made it through their first four games of a European Championship without letting a goal in.
Unfortunately, due to coronavirus restrictions in Italy, England fans may not to be able to watch their team’s showdown with Ukraine in Rome. Passengers need proof of a negative Covid test 48 hors prior to travelling. Then on arrival in the country, must isolate for five days. Exceptions to the rules include transport crews and people visiting for work, health or emergency.
Therefore, the Football Association is not selling tickets for the match in Rome. Instead they are trying to get tickets to England fans who are already in Italy, via the British Embassy.
Italy is on the UK’s amber travel list, meaning people must self-isolate for 10 days on return to the UK. They must also take Covid tests on day two and day eight of their quarantine.
After a difficult pandemic it is good to see people happy again, but we can’t get carried away. England need to take the momentum and confidence from their win to continue their success.
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