Thousands of Londoners are 'pulling sickies' this morning after watching England's thrilling World Cup win over Mexico in pubs across the capital. The last-16 match, which kicked off at 1am BST after a one-hour delay due to bad weather, saw England secure a 3-2 victory in Mexico City, sparking wild celebrations as dawn broke on Monday.
Fans Joke About Calling in Sick
Speaking outside Wembley Stadium after watching the game at Boxpark Wembley, Ollie, 29, who did not want to disclose his surname, joked he would be “very ill” in a few hours when he needed to go to work. “And luckily my manager is also ill,” he told the Press Association. “The win was a long time coming,” he added.
Two women, who also did not want to give their names, said they would be calling in sick in a couple of hours, as they joined hundreds of fans celebrating along Olympic Way.
Pubs Open Until 5am for Match
Hundreds of pubs across the capital had been allowed to stay open until 5am for the match. Fans who went to pubs in their thousands faced the possibility of being turfed out before the climax had the game gone to extra time and penalties. The match was delayed an hour due to bad weather, adding to the tension.
Celebrations Erupt Across London
Ecstatic England fans spontaneously broke out into Sweet Caroline after the Three Lions beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in Mexico City, following an agonising 11 minutes of added time. More than 1,400 jubilant fans at Boxpark Wembley jumped into the air, with some becoming emotional, as England secured a spot in the quarter-final against Norway.
CO2 cannons at the fan zone blasted white fog, as fans embraced one another and threw their hands into the air. There were wild scenes in bars across the capital earlier when Harry Kane scored England’s third goal from the penalty spot.
Momentum Shifts During Match
Crowds had been quietened minutes earlier when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR check over a high tackle. The mood dipped once more after Mexico reduced the deficit to 3-2 through a Raul Jimenez penalty. The tension turned to ecstasy at full time, with England's victory setting off wild celebrations across the capital.
