To say that England fans were jubilant after Wednesday’s clash against Denmark would be a gross understatement.
Top-of-the-lung renditions of ‘Three Lions’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’ echoed through the streets well into the early hours, as Gareth Southgate’s team edged ever-closer to bringing football home.
Social media was awash with footage of crowds rampaging through the capital – a sea of red and white soundtracked by the screech of tooting horns and chants.
But a number of videos offered more unique insights into how people ended their nights, with one man spotted clinging calmly onto the front of the bus as he rode his way through the city.
Others showed Trafalgar Square bursting at the seams, with a double-decker stranded amid the hoards. The bus, a number 9 to Aldwych, was forced to a stop as dozens of people got on board then clambered on top. Several sat down on the roof, although one also stood holding a St George’s flag aloft.
Meanwhile, a third clip – according to one fan – epitomised “how the world see us”. It showed a topless man, with England’s official badge crest tattooed across his back, toppling over a row of seats in the Wembley stands, yet still managing to keep on clapping.
But a fourth clip captured a different, equally triumphant side of England. Showing fans indoors, watching Harry Kane’s decisive penalty, during an Islamic seminary.
Here’s a look at all four videos:
An Islamic seminary watching Kane’s penalty 😍 This is Southgate’s #ENG https://t.co/AQgfKYCNZh— Tez (@Tez) 1625701107
England fans: I don’t understand why the rest of the world seem to hate us How the world see us 😭😂 #ENGDEN… https://t.co/eY8DdUbn2Z— Joe (@Joe) 1625695091
Central london is in lockdown England 🏴 football fans on top of buses …. It’s really coming home !!!! https://t.co/n7g20WkpPp— Paul Brown 🇬🇧 Browns fan🏈 London News 🎥Vlogger (@Paul Brown 🇬🇧 Browns fan🏈 London News 🎥Vlogger) 1625695690
Wembley’s a mess https://t.co/snOoVV6vRb— material gorl (@material gorl) 1625697803
Police officers watched on as ecstatic supporters poured out of the fan zone in Trafalgar Square following the historic victory. Cars drove past beeping in support as fans walked in the roads, singing and embracing each other.
At one point, around 30 officers moved in to break up crowds in Leicester Square and remove fans who had climbed on top of the Number 9. Fans responded by booing and throwing beer cans at the police, and many ran away shouting “feds”.
#ENG https://t.co/7X2gwvRobt— Isobel Frodsham (@Isobel Frodsham) 1625699233
Supporters leaving BOXPARK in Croydon said they felt “absolutely phenomenal” with one describing the win as “the greatest moment of my life”.
Danny McCollum, 24, said: “How am I feeling? Absolutely phenomenal. The game was brilliant, unfortunately we couldn’t score a second goal within two halves but you know what, at the end of the day, brilliant. It’s England.”
Fans let off flares as they celebrate in Piccadilly Circus, central London
John Engall, 65, from Bedington, who was 10 when England won the 1966 World Cup final, said he felt “absolutely fantastic”.
“I remember ’66 but I’m much more ecstatic now than when I was 10.
“It was a brilliant game, it could have gone either way but well, it seems to have gone our way.”
England will meet Italy in the final on Sunday
Fans at Trafalgar Square waved England flags and merged together in a huge crowd after the final whistle.
Oliver Ways, 28, from Mitcham, south London, said: “This time it’s coming home, the momentum is with us, I don’t care what anyone says.
“I’m so drunk but I don’t care – the game was just how we wanted it.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but England are in a final!”