PAEngland fans celebrate our first-ever Euro opener[/caption]
LNPSupporters dared to dream it COULD come home after the 1-0 win[/caption]
PABars packed with supporters erupted as England won[/caption]
w8mediaLondoners fill the streets as the curse was lifted[/caption]
ReutersA fan gets a lift from his mates after England snatched a win[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdFans in London celebrate as England top the table[/caption]
LNPThere was a sea of red and white in the capital[/caption]
ReutersSterling scored the game’s only goal[/caption]
EPAGareth Southgate celebrates as England’s opening game curse is lifted[/caption]
PASterling is mobbed by his teammates[/caption]
Grown men leapt into each other’s arms as England’s Euro campaign successfully got underway.
Fans had been hoping England would get their revenge after Croatia’s 109-minute goal in extra time of the semi-finals sent England packing at the 2018 World Cup.
The atmosphere was electric across the country today as excited fans draped in flags gathered together for the Three Lions’ first group game.
Supporters could earlier be heard under Wembley’s famous arch giving a roaring ‘Cheers’ to the Three Lions.
Choruses of ‘It’s Coming Home’ that were nervously whispered this morning became rousing renditions that echoed through the air as excitement reached fever-pitch.
Delighted fans told to come together as one and help make the beautiful game beautiful again stuck to their brief as they filled bars and pubs.
Today’s win also silenced critics who questioned today’s line-up – with both Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho left out of the squad entirely.
And Jack Grealish was left on the bench despite the Villa winger earning a spot in the starting 11 thanks to a successful season.
NNPNewcastle goes wild as England take the lead[/caption]
AFPSupporters raised a drink inside Wembley as the whistle blew[/caption]
EPAFans cheer on England in Box Park in Wembley as they kick off[/caption]
PAA man holds his head in his hands as Phil Foden hits the post[/caption]
SWNSFans react to the City star rattling the woodwork in the opening few minutes in Nottingham[/caption]
PAThe tension was palpable in Birmingham today[/caption]
PAA fan in Manchester shows off his red and white war paint[/caption]
Instagram @jesselingardJesse Lingard was among those watching the action on TV[/caption]
PAFans watch on the big screen at London’s Vinegar Yard[/caption]
GettySupports in Manchester clap after the national anthem[/caption]
PAFans in Vinegar Yard cheer as the game kicks off[/caption]
PAManchester fans raise their arms as the whistle blows[/caption]
PAEastEnders’ Shaun Williamson leads a chorus of the national anthem in Box Park[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdAn England fan gets into the spirit in Wapping[/caption]
The SunSupporters hold up their shoes at Box Park as the football gets underway[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdLondon’s Skylight Bar is packed with fans[/caption]
GettyA topless fan dances in Wembley cheered on by his mates[/caption]
GettySupporters are on the beers today as the sun shines down on the Three Lions[/caption]
England last hosted a major tournament 25 years ago for Euro 1996 – one Gareth Southgate will definitely want to forget after missing a crucial penalty in the semi-finals.
But his young team being led out under Wembley’s arch combined with a 30C heatwave has put a smile on the nation’s faces after a devastating 15 months.
A year-long delay to the tournament due to Covid also means excitement simmering under the surface has now exploded across the country.
Fans have been urged to rally behind the troops, give Covid the middle finger and finally allow hope to cut through the bleakness of the pandemic.
GettyThe atmosphere is palpable in Wembley[/caption]
LNPBox Park in Wembley is packed with England supporters[/caption]
LNPIt’s Coming Home is already on the lips of England supporters[/caption]
PATrafford Park in Manchester is filled with fans[/caption]
PAFans join the action at Trafford Park[/caption]
GettyFans sing and dance as the atmosphere swells at Wembley[/caption]
GettyLads with beers show their support for the first group game[/caption]
The virus has dampened the tournament – with just 22,500 fans allowed in for the match today – but they still roared loudly enough for the missing supporters.
An official fan zone set up in London’s Trafalgar Square eas attended by 750 key workers invited to to watch the match on a big screen.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the excitement of the Euros was needed after “the darkness and trauma” of the pandemic.
Speaking at the official fan zone, he added: “We’ve invited our amazing key workers to thank them for all they’ve done for our city.
“They’ve gone above and beyond over the last 18 months … this is our way to thank them.
“You can tell how excited I am I’m one of the first people here … bring it home. It’ll be nice to see people face to face, facial expressions, body language.
“The best thing about football is that it brings people together.”
Addressing the England team directly, he said: “To Gareth (Southgate) and the entire England squad, London is behind you. Bring it home.”
Most read in Euro 2020
ENGLAND 1 CROATIA 0
Reaction as Sterling ends England's opening game hoodoo in Euros
FAN PLUNGE
Fan seriously injured after ‘falling from stand’ during England game at Wembley
ERIKSEN STABLE
Eriksen's heart stopped & 'was gone' but 'we got him back', doc says
FRESH START
Remarkable before-and-after pics of drug addict mum who turned her life around
FAIER PLAY
Sam Faiers quits The Mummy Diaries show to take break from reality TV
CLOSED FOR BUSINESS
Corrie's Jennie McApline's restaurant closes after positive Covid case
Other fans flooded Box Park in Croydon and Wembley to watch Our Boys throughout the tournament.
Fans will also down a whopping 50million pints and eat their way through 30million burgers and 20million sausages.
GettyConfident fans are already chanting It’s Coming Home[/caption]
LNPCelebrations are underway in Box Park in Wembley[/caption]
PAA group of mates in Vinegar Yard in London Bridge today[/caption]
PAGirls pose with a Gareth Southgate cutout in Hastings[/caption]
GettyBeer falls from the sky as England fans spray booze over Wembley[/caption]
GettyThe excitement has exploded as the tournament gets underway for England[/caption]
PAOne lad has shaved the England fan into his chest hair[/caption]
PAFans could be seen queuing to get into the outdoor bar[/caption]
RexA fan quenches his thirst in the scorching heat[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdFans at the Skylight Bar in Wapping today[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdThe heatwave and excitement from the football has brought England together[/caption]
AlamySmoke fills the air as lucky fans make their way into the stadium[/caption]
ReutersEngland fans cheers to the Three Lions[/caption]
i-ImagesIt was a calmer affair in Trafalgar Square, which is an official fan zone[/caption]
i-ImagesKey workers have been invited to watch the game on the big screen at Trafalgar Square[/caption]
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
