Fans flung pints into the air at pubs up and down the country as Jude Bellingham put England in front after their World Cup clash with Norway headed into extra time.
There were tense scenes in London, Newcastle and Bristol at the 90-minute mark with both teams level at 1-1.
But fans jumped onto tables and sent their beer flying when Bellingham scored for England, renewing hopes of the side securing a place in the final four.
At a sold-out venue in Times Square, Newcastle, supporters began chanting: ‘Don’t take me home, please don’t take me home, I just don’t want to go to work.’
Delirious scenes had been cut short in the first half when Harry Kane snuck one into the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside.
There was also nervousness when Norway took their turn to go 2-1 in front but their goal was also scrubbed off the board following a VAR call.
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed this evening.
WeAreFanZones manager in Newcastle, Briony Young, 32, said: ‘It’s always busy for every England game but today’s sold out in record time.
England fans flung pints into the air at pubs up and down the country as Jude Bellingham scored an equaliser in England’s World Cup clash against Norway
England fans gather in Newcastle ahead of kick-off for the match against Norway
Fans go wild as England scored an equaliser just before half time
England supporters get ready to cheer on their team at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle tonight
Fans look tense as they watch a screening of the match at The Clapham Grand in London
Fans proudly display England flags at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle tonight
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed
‘Even though it’s a bit drizzly and overcast, a little bit of rain won’t put us Geordies off.
‘There’s been a real party atmosphere in the city all day. Everyone is confident that we can get the job done and march into the semi-final.’
Crowds were buoyed up before the game as a DJ spun an England playlist including World In Motion, Three Lions (On A Shirt) and the Fat Les hit Vindaloo.
A rendition of Wonderwall also rang around the fan zone before kick-off.
Supporters, wary of still being hungover come Monday, chanted: ‘Please don’t take me home, I just don’t want to go to work.
‘I want to stay here and drink all the beer.’
Sunderland fan Jamie Rothwell took his girlfriend Danielle, 37, for a ‘romantic’ night out to watch the Three Lions.
The salesman, 40, said: ‘Is there anything more romantic than Harry Kane putting England in the semi-final of the World Cup?
‘To my mind, it’s the perfect date night.’
Second-year sports student James Mason, 19, said: ‘I think we will win 3-1 with Bellingham and Kane to score. I think it’s inevitable that Haaland will score.
‘I’ve put a tenner on it, which will bring in £290. If that happens, we’ll be out until Monday.’
Friend George Dean, 19, added: ‘We’re going to be out all night, drinking all the beers because it’s coming home.’
England supporters get ready to cheer on their team at Stack at St James’ in Newcastle
Fans watch a screening of the quarter-final match between Norway and England at The Prospect Building in Bristol
Cameron Armstrong, 26, with Chantelle Christensen, 26 and Jenni Armstrong, 23, with their pitcher of beer in Newcastle
England fans are already drinking pints as they gather ready for kick off
Fans throw their arms in the air at a watch party in Newcastle
Bars have been given permission to stay open until 2am or until 30 minutes after the final whistle blows – with 42 million pints expected to be downed
At least 1,700 England supporters are set to pack into a fan zone in Newcastle – and get through 4,000 pints before kick-off
Fans hold drinks as they get ready for kick-off at 10pm this evening
Cameron Armstrong, 26, with Chantelle Christensen, 26 and Jenni Armstrong, 23, said: ‘I think if we can stop Norway from scoring first, we will do well. It’s about keeping Haaland quiet.
‘Hopefully Dan Burn will have him in his back pocket.’
Tonight is anticipated to be the busiest night for pubs since England’s 2018 World Cup semi-final.
An audience of 17 million is expected on ITV, plus five million on ITVX, the highest ratings since a combined 24.2 million watched the Euro 2024 final.
Jubilant football fans have also packed out Boxpark in Wembley for the game
Wearing bucket hats with St George’s flag, the crowd loudly sang football chants and songs as they prepared for the match.
Mark Bowring, 52, has travelled from Buckinghamshire to the north-west London venue with his two sons to watch the game on the big screen.
The business owner, who arrived at 6.30pm, said he has watched the last four matches at Boxpark due to its ‘atmosphere’.
He said: ‘If you can’t get to the game it’s got to be the best place to watch it.’
Fans hold their hands over their mouths as they watch the match at Boxpark Wembley in London
Fans party at The Prospect Building in Bristol for the match tonight
Excitement is also building outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where England fans have gathered
England fans outside Miami Stadium ahead of the match against Norway
Fans queue ahead of a screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match between Norway and England at The Clapham Grand in London
England fans decked out in their kit take selfies outside the stadium in Florida
Excitement is also building outside the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami where England fans have gathered.
Ryan Dougan said he believed the Three Lions have a chance of going all the way in the World Cup.
Commenting on how optimistic he was for the Three Lions in the tournament, he said: ‘I’m getting bullish.
‘I don’t think, France aside, I don’t think anyone’s looked significantly better than us.
‘We’ll deal with France if we get them in the final, but I think we can beat anyone.
‘One game at a time, let’s go.’
Another England supporter said he fancies the Three Lions’ chances more against Norway than he would have had Brazil progressed to the quarter finals.
Max Gill, 27, from London, said: ‘I think they’re (Norway) going to probably sit deep.
‘I wouldn’t fancy us more against Brazil, to be honest – they’d come out and attack.
‘So, I’m still relatively confident, but a bit wary of Haaland on the counter.
‘So, maybe 1-0 and then just sit back after.’
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