Football fans have flooded social media with their joy after England scored a goal within two minutes of kickoff in the Euro 2020 final clash against Italy.
Delighted supporters took to Twitter to praise Manchester United’s Luke Shaw as he scored England’s first goal of the match.
Shaw netted a stunning goal on the break to settle early nerves in front of 60,000 fans as the Three Lions look to secure their first major trophy in 55 years.
And fans took to Twitter to revel in their delight. One wrote: ‘A goal already??!!!! IT’S COMING HOMEEE!’
While another said: ‘Less than two minutes and ENGLAND SCORES A GOAL!!!!!’
And another wrote: ‘LUKE SHAW THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.’ While another said: ‘LUKE SHAW I WILL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU OMG.’
One simply said: ‘Shaw that coming.’
Luke Shaw netted a stunning goal on the break to settle early nerves in front of 60,000 fans as the Three Lions look to secure their first major trophy in 55 years
And fans took to Twitter to revel in their delight. One wrote: ‘A goal already??!!!! IT’S COMING HOMEEE!’
Captain Harry Kane earlier led the players through their warm-ups after the England team coach was cheered all the way from the hotel to Wembley.
The party atmosphere descended into chaos just minutes before kick-off as dozens breached a security perimeter to rush up the stairs to the stands before stunned security guards.
Tens of thousands more, many without tickets, have been crowding around the arena to soak up the atmosphere since this morning, letting off flares, clambering onto buses and hurling drinks through the air.
Prince William is joined by Kate and George at the final today
England and Italy line up ahead of the match today to sing their national anthems
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is joined by Carrie at the final today
Wembley said in a statement that officials are ‘dealing with an incident that occurred at the outer security barrier,’ adding that ‘there were no security breaches of people without tickets getting inside the stadium.’
Across the country, millions are cramming into sold-out pub gardens, Sweet Caroline is blaring from sound systems and gallons of beer are being poured into glasses as the nation dreams of victory.
An estimated 35 million people will be tuning in to watch the match, while more than £3 billion will be lavished on bets, drinks and food.
The Duke of Cambridge praised manager Southgate, captain Harry Kane and ‘every member of the England team on and off the pitch’ in a video message on his official Twitter account, as he said: ‘I can’t really believe this is happening’ and wished the squad ‘the very best of luck’.
William, the President of the FA, said: ‘Gareth, Harry and to every member of the England team on and off the pitch, just want to wish you the very best of luck tonight. What a team performance it’s been, everyone in the squad has played their part. All the backroom team as well have been truly essentially.
England fans bellow ‘It’s coming home’ in the stands as the players get ready for the match against Italy
England fans hold up a St George’s Cross outside Wembley stadium as thousands gathered outside the west London arena, many of them without tickets
A young England fan with his face painted with the cross of St George sits on a man’s shoulders ahead of the match
‘I can’t really believe this is happening. So exciting and I just wish you the very best of luck. You bring out the very best of England and we are all behind you. The whole country is behind you. So, bring it home.’
England captain Harry Kane said his team hopes to do the nation proud in their bid for Euro 2020 glory. He told reporters at a press conference last night: ‘We want to go and bring the trophy home’ – adding: ‘We know how much it means to the English fans all over the country so we’re proud to be representing them and hopefully we can do them proud again.’
The Queen paid tribute to the ‘spirit, commitment and pride’ of the squad in a good luck message ahead of tonight’s final, while her grandson the Duke of Cambridge said it is ‘so exciting’ to get to this point.
The Prime Minister told Southgate and the players they had ‘already made history’ by reaching the final, writing: ‘You have lifted the spirits of the whole country, and tomorrow we know you can lift that trophy too. We are not just hoping or praying.
‘We believe in you, Gareth, and your incredible squad.’