Millions of England fans go wild in pubs and parks as Three Lions score FOUR times in crunch Euro quarter-final

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ENGLAND fans are in dreamland after the Three Lions scored FOUR times tonight – meaning the Lions now face a historic Euro’s semi-final.

Millions went wild in packed pubs and parks across the country – while 5,000 fans roared on the team at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

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Fans went wild as England scored a sensational four goals to win their game against Ukraine tonightCredit: Elliott Franks

Employers across the nation can breathe a sigh of relief that tomorrow's a Sunday - as celebrations are set to go on long into the night — Employers across the nation can breathe a sigh of relief that tomorrow’s a Sunday – as celebrations are set to go on long into the nightCredit: AFP

Supporters gathered at pubs and fan zones to watch the amazing matchCredit: NNP

In London, fans leapt to their feet after Kane's first goal - but there was plenty more to follow — In London, fans leapt to their feet after Kane’s first goal – but there was plenty more to followCredit: PA

And in Croydon, viewers went screamed with joyCredit: AFP

England ran away with it during a sensational matchCredit: NNP

Viewers across the country lost it during the matchCredit: AP

Fans are in dreamland at the stunning gameCredit: NNP

Harry Kane netted twice either side of Harry Maguire’s header before Jordan Henderson added a fourth against Ukraine tonight.

Jubilant fans sprayed booze and danced on tables during wild celebrations in fan parks up and down the country.

Spurs striker Kane gave England the perfect start inside four minutes when he latched onto a through ball from Raheem Sterling to slot home.

Maguire powered in a header to double England’s lead shortly after half-time before Kane netted a third.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson added a FOURTH in the 63rd minute.

It comes as:

The goal-rush without reply has put Gareth Southgate’s side into a semi-final showdown with Denmark on Wednesday night.

Ecstatic England fans inside the historic stadium belted out ‘Football’s Coming Home’ as they celebrated victory in our first Euro quarter final for 25 years.

Thousands of supporters bagged tickets – a mix of expats based in Italy and Three Lions fans arriving from across the globe.

And in the UK, supporters crammed into pubs, bars and parks across the country and sprayed beer as they celebrated a sensational game.

Whether in Rome or on home turf, the atmosphere couldn’t have been better – and Southgate’s side are yet to concede a sdngle goal in the tournament.

While skies were brighter in Rome – with the temperature reaching a gorgeous 31C – celebrations were just as wild at Britain’s boozers.

Tonight’s epic clash with Ukraine bookends a stunning week for the Lions.

It comes just days after Brits awoke with sore heads after a wild night of celebrations following the win over Germany, prompting plenty of calls in sick.

British fans stripped off in Manchester - despite unseasonally chilly temperatures — British fans stripped off in Manchester – despite unseasonally chilly temperaturesCredit: Rex

Brits are celebrating an amazing game tonight

Fans in Manchester hugged and cheered as they watched the game on the big screen

Supporters have crowded into a huge fan zone in Trafalgar SquareCredit: PA

For those in the Italian sunshine, spirits are high - and despite the small crowd allowed in, they cheered for the whole country — For those in the Italian sunshine, spirits are high – and despite the small crowd allowed in, they cheered for the whole countryCredit: Reuters

Hundreds of Brits are in Rome for the England gameCredit: Reuters

In London, one Southgate super-fan donned a mask of the manager's face - and dressed in his signature waistcoat — In London, one Southgate super-fan donned a mask of the manager’s face – and dressed in his signature waistcoatCredit: PA

One fan threw a pint over supporters as he watched the game on a big screenCredit: Rex

And tomorrow is set to be another write-off for millions – with celebrations set to go on well into the night.

England’s 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst backed the lads this evening.

He tweeted: “Come on England. You can do it. Good luck tonight.”

It looks like the football hero could be right – as those who doubted Kane were silenced just moments into tonight’s match.

The ace leapt into the air after his perfectly-executed touch sent the ball sailing into the net.

The remainder of the first half was quiet – but the second half saw goal after goal for England, with three in just minutes.

As revealed by The Sun, Jadon Sancho started for the Three Lions tonight – while Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish remained on the bench.

Superstar Kane silenced his critics within minutes of the game startingCredit: AFP

The ace scored a blinding goal within moments - and then another in the second half — The ace scored a blinding goal within moments – and then another in the second halfCredit: Getty

Maguire then scored moments into the second halfCredit: Getty

The team have been sensational in Rome tonightCredit: PA

Henderson celebrates after scoring the fourthCredit: AP

Meanwhile, UK cities are packed with punters. Supporters are spilling out of pubs and crowding specially-designated ‘fan zones’.

In Leicester Square, London, blue smoke is drifting over a huge crowd of chanting fans – while in Newcastle and Manchester, keyed-up fans are sinking pints.

Those who did manage to get away for the game have spent the day wandering the streets of Rome with drinks in their hands.

Die-hard fans were told not to fly out to Italy for the Euro 2020 game as the destination is on the travel amber list – meaning returning travellers face quarantine upon their return to the UK.

Anyone caught breaking Covid regulations could be hit with a £386 fine, and UEFA even cancelled all tickets sold to England fans living in in the UK over fears they’d flout the rules.

Anticipation reached fever-pitch before the game began - and fans were quickly rewarded — Anticipation reached fever-pitch before the game began – and fans were quickly rewardedCredit: Reuters

And within minutes of the second half beginning, three MORE goals reached the back of the net, prompting riotous scenes in LondonCredit: Getty

In Trafford, pints were sent flying as fans cheeredCredit: LNP

City centres erupted with cheers as England scored goal after goal

Photographers captured the moment one fan celebrated as beer rained downCredit: Rex

But double-jabbed, coronavirus-secure arrivals via France were allowed a 36-hour window without having to self-isolate.

And expats have flown in to Rome from Dubai, Spain, the Czech Republic and other EU countries.

Around 300 fans have arrived from the UAE alone – paying a whopping £700 for a return ticket – while another 200 are expected to join Brits living in Italy.

Amazingly, England has received backing from an unexpected quarter.

Germany fans still in Italy say they’ll back Brits in the match after they were swayed by the passionate support they saw at Wembley this week.

The Three Lions take on Ukraine at Stadio Olympico in Rome in its first Euro quarter-final for 25 years.

Supporters this afternoon marked the occasion by donning St George costumes in Newcastle, while in London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson posed for photograph outside 10 Downing Street with a giant St George’s flag.

Residents living on a football-mad estate in West London have put up more than 200 flags of their own – and they started singing “It’s Coming Home” at 7am.

Fans may not have made it to Italy - but there's already dancing in the streets of London — Fans may not have made it to Italy – but there’s already dancing in the streets of London

Some of those who travelled for the match wore scarves - despite today's 31C heat in Rome — Some of those who travelled for the match wore scarves – despite today’s 31C heat in RomeCredit: PA

These friends grabbed a pint before kick-offCredit: Reuters

Manchester fans kissed their shirts - and each other — Manchester fans kissed their shirts – and each otherCredit: LNP

Huge crowds have gathered in Leicester Square this eveningCredit: Reuters

In Manchester, hundreds of people are at a fan park to watch the gameCredit: Getty

Cities are heaving with fans dressed in England shirtsCredit: EPA

The residents of Towfield Court in Feltham have spent all their free
hours decorating the estate in tribute to the Lions.

Elsewhere in the capital, huge crowds are watching the game on two screens at Trafalgar Square.

Bradley Hayden, 27, travelled into the city centre from Barnes to “be part of the atmosphere”.

“I thought, ‘Why not come down, get in the thick of it and see what it’s about’,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to have our trust in Southgate – he’s got us this far.

“The boys will do us proud tonight.”

But for others, the temptation to watch their team perform was too great.

Chris Pike, 32, flew into Rome from his home in Dubai with group of five friends.

He said: “There will be more England fans in the stadium than Ukraine and we will make as much noise as possible.

“I’ve got my England shirt and we will do all we can to cheer England on.’

Pike and friend Henry Mark are expecting to fork out £2000 for the entire trip after paying £250 for match tickets and £700 for their flight.

“It really is a one off and fantastic to be here in Rome and cheer on England. I will get my white shirt on later and we are looking to see if we can get any flags.”

Manchester's designated fan park is heaving with supporters — Manchester’s designated fan park is heaving with supportersCredit: PA

Many wrapped themselves in flags to celebrate the dayCredit: Rex

Brits this afternoon lifted nervous pint ahead of the game, which kicks off at 8pm UK time

England fans raised a glass to the team this afternoon in ItalyCredit: Reuters

Pubs in London are heaving tonightCredit: PA

Anticipation is high, with many grabbing a beer to calm their nerves

Huge cheers rang out in central London as the game beganCredit: Rex

And one fan has been left devastated after a Covid diagnosis meant he was unable to see his team play.

Gary Wills, 49, is British-born but now lives in Hamburg. He booked a flight, football tickets and a hotel – but tested positive for the deadly bug days after getting his second jab.

“For me, it was a real chance-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said.

“Totally gutted.”

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Association, said fans in England are disappointed about not being able to travel, but added: “We’ve got used to a bit of disappointment.”

He told Times Radio: “We haven’t been watching football live for a long time – club games and internationals (have) been missed, so to some extent, people got used to it.”

Mr Clarke joked that fans were just hoping “England can give us something to cheer about”.

Fans held aloft pints early this afternoon - and after a day of beaming sunshine in Italy, there'll be sore heads tomorrow — Fans held aloft pints early this afternoon – and after a day of beaming sunshine in Italy, there’ll be sore heads tomorrow

In Birmingham, many started celebrating several hours before kick-off

One Nottingham fan painted his face with England's colours — One Nottingham fan painted his face with England’s colours

Some enjoyed a kick-about in the sunshine in the Italian capital earlier today

Fans have also gathered at BoxPark Croydon, where Stormzy watched the England-Germany gameCredit: PA

Two Kane fans wore masks of his face in NottinghamCredit: PA

Jack Francis, 20, from Southampton, travelled to Rome from France.

“I’m feeling confident for the game especially if we play the way we did against Germany,” he said.

“But with the lack of home advantage it will be interesting to see how we play in our first away game of the tournament, but hopefully the England fans here will do all they can to give the players a boost.”

Many of the tickets have been sold to some of the 30,000 expats who live in Italy and the FA returned its allocation of tickets for the 16,000-capacity stadium.

The Three Lions secured their place in the tournament’s last eight with an historic victory over Germany.

The win – courtesy of second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane – was their first over their old rivals in 55 years.

Manchester is heaving with fans celebratingCredit: PA

In Birmingham, supporters were handed ponchos as skies turned greyCredit: SnapperSK

One of the most picturesque spots for the game is in Trafalgar Square, where huge crowds have gatheredCredit: AP

Supporters cheer the goal at London's Tobacco Dock — Supporters cheer the goal at London’s Tobacco DockCredit: LNP

Southgate's side got off to a lightning-quick start — Southgate’s side got off to a lightning-quick startCredit: AP

And better yet, Southgate’s team are the only remaining side yet to concede a goal after a 1-0 win over Croatia and the Czech Republic and a goalless draw with Scotland.

If the team manage a victory in Rome, they will face either the Czech Republic or Denmark next week.

Football legend Gary Lineker earlier told fans: “Pace yourself today, kick off is not until 8 o’clock,” with a beer stein emoji.

But – perhaps unsurprisingly – those watching the game on home turf will spend a small fortune on food and booze today.

Forecasters predict a £533m pay-out for refreshments.

Six million pints will be knocked back during the game alone – with 19m sunk over the course of the day, according to metro.co.uk.

Beers sales soared 60 per cent at the Co-op and by 40 per cent at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose as fans spend £348millioon stocking up on match-day essentials to consume at home.

England and Ukraine have played seven times with the Three Lions generally having the better of close encounters.

The Three Lions won four matches, drew two, and lost one since 1999.

Bookies are predicting England will claim victory tonight

Boris Johnson unveils huge England flag ahead of Euro 2020 quarter-final match

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