Ollie Watkins’ goal sent England into the European Championship final and the country into pandemonium with the match even stopping a Killers concert at the O2 Arena.
The band chose to pause their gig and put the game on the big screen and, when full-time came, the crowd celebrated the result in unison before the band swiftly transitioned into their cult classic ‘Mr Brightside’.
The Killers stopped their show at the O2 tonight to show the final few minutes and whistle of the England victory before launching straight into Mr Brightside. pic.twitter.com/7dVy3e0PPO
— Ned Donovan | فارس دونوفان (@Ned_Donovan) July 10, 2024
The King was swift to send a message to Gareth Southgate and all the England players following the result:
“My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match,” he wrote.
“If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!
“Good luck, England.
“Charles R’”
English actor and presenter Ross Kemp, no stranger to vocal support, posted a number of videos getting behind the team in his England shirt, and urged the side to “bring it home on Sunday”.
Meanwhile at BoxPark Wembley, a packed crowd jumped up and down in joy with the seemingly customary throwing of beer into the air accompanying the celebrations.
On the other side of the world, the England rugby team watched the semi-final from New Zealand in the early hours and posted a video of them celebrating the victory with second row Alex Coles wearing an England football shirt.
The Lionesses did similar, posting pictures of the England Women’s side raising their arms in celebrations.
In Exeter City’s St James Park stadium, fans filled the stands to watch the match and were chanting “Ollie Watkins, he’s one of our own” as the striker started his professional career with the club back in 2014.
Meanwhile in Washington, President Joe Biden was asked whether “football was coming home” while sat alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pointed out England had not lost under his Labour Government.
🚨 NEW: Joe Biden says England reaching the #EURO2024 final was ‘all because of the prime minister’
Journalist: ‘Is football coming home, prime minister?’
Starmer: ‘It looks like it!’ pic.twitter.com/0ouhJHLn1A
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) July 10, 2024
On the pitch
On the pitch, the England celebrations began with captain Harry Kane charging towards the match-winner Watkins, who replaced him up front. Kane jumped into of Watkins as other players rushed to join them.
Southgate, who was on the receiving end of cups being thrown at him by England fans earlier in the tournament, did not miss the opportunity to celebrate in style, clinching his fists and punching the air.
The England players joined their friends and family in the stands after the match, including the decisive goal scorer Watkins.
The pundits
BBC’s Alan Shearer was quick to praise the decision making of Southgate, having previously being criticial earlier in the tournament. He said: “I was wondering when the changes were going to happen. The changes were right and they were perfect. What a night for Watkins and England.”
The ITV pundit’s celebrated Watkins’ goal, apart from Roy Keane who was less enamoured than Gary Neville and Ian Wright.
Keane was then quick to urge caution ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain.
“I think they [England] deserve huge credit, they keep coming up with all the answers. Obviously Holland done well in the second half trying to suffocate England.
“When the subs came on they found a way to win. They’ve had plenty of luck, even the penalty today.
“They obviously have big personalities there and a desire to keep going, they kept playing their game. Well deserved…
“I think Spain are brilliant to watch, the way they keep possession and they’ve got some brilliant young players. When you analyse the game last night against a French team who weren’t really at it, the French had some good chances.
“I’d have Spain as favourites, but sometimes you think things are written in the stars for this England team. When you think of it, they should have been out of it a week or so ago, they’ve now got momentum and you’re talking about the mindset of the players.”
Source Agencies
