England fans celebrated into the early hours after the Three Lions edged past Mexico in a dramatic World Cup last-16 clash, with pubs and fan zones across the country erupting at the final whistle. Supporters embraced, sang and sprayed beer into the air as England secured their place in the quarter-finals after surviving a tense finish with 10 men.
Many fans are likely to be feeling the effects this morning after staying up through the night to watch the crucial encounter, which kicked off in the early hours of Monday UK time. Pubs, bars and fan parks in cities including London, Manchester, Bristol and Derby were packed with supporters eager to watch Thomas Tuchel's side take on the tournament hosts.
Bellingham's Quick-Fire Double Stuns Hosts
The loudest cheers came when Jude Bellingham struck twice in just 99 seconds to put England in control before the break. However, the match took another dramatic turn after half-time when Jarell Quansah was sent off following a challenge on Jesus Gallardo, leaving England to play much of the second half with 10 men.
Harry Kane then converted a penalty to restore England's two-goal cushion before Raul Jimenez responded from the spot for Mexico, setting up a nervy finale. England defended resolutely during the closing stages, throwing bodies in front of shots and holding on to seal a memorable victory.
Celebrations Continue Until Sunrise
The celebrations resumed as supporters burst into song, with many belting out Oasis classic Wonderwall after the final whistle. Despite the late finish, many fans continued celebrating until sunrise, having promised to stay awake for one of England's biggest matches of the tournament.
Industry experts estimate the delayed kick-off led to around one million extra pints being sold as supporters settled in for an extended night of football, reports The Sun. Some fans had prepared by grabbing a few hours' sleep before the match, knowing the unusual kick-off time would make for a long night.
Quarter-Final Showdown with Norway
The result left supporters in jubilant spirits after England booked a quarter-final showdown with Norway. Prince William was among those celebrating, posting a personal message of congratulations to the Three Lions shortly after the victory.
England supporters inside the Azteca Stadium also enjoyed memorable scenes despite difficult weather conditions. Thunderstorms, lightning and torrential rain swept across Mexico City before kick-off, forcing an hour-long delay while officials monitored conditions.
Pre-Match Disruptions
The fixture had already attracted attention before kick-off after FIFA briefly considered bringing the match forward because of severe weather forecasts before deciding to stick with the original schedule. England's preparations were also disrupted on the eve of the game when large groups of Mexico supporters gathered outside the team's hotel.
Fans carrying drums, megaphones and fireworks attempted to keep the squad awake throughout the night, while passing motorists repeatedly sounded their horns. The gathering was eventually dispersed after armed police established a security cordon around the hotel and moved supporters further away from the building.
