England fans go wild as they cheer Three Lions to victory– in pictures

Most England football fans might have been unable to travel to Italy to support the Three Lions in their quarter final clash, but it didn’t stop supporters turning out in force across the country to cheer on their team.

England beat Ukraine 4-0 at the Euro 2020 quarter final in Rome, but did so largely without support in the stands as Italy remains on the UK’s amber list and fans have been urged not to travel.

The game was an attempt for the men’s team to qualify for their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years. England’s Lionesses reached the Euros semi-final in 2017 but were knocked out after being beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands. Gareth Southgate’s squad, meanwhile, reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018.

They will now face Denmark in the next round, who tonight beat the Czech Republic 2-1.

Fans in Trafalgar Square wait for the start of the Euro2020 quarter final matchPA

Hours before kick off at 8pm, fans gathered in anticipation across pubs, bars and public squares in England, including Trafalgar Square in central London, where there was a dedicated fan zone.

Fans jumped up and screamed with delight in Trafalgar Square after England scored their first goal against Ukraine just minutes after the kick-off.

They threw their cups of beer into the air and all hugged each other in jubilation. They all broke into choruses of Three Lions and a chant about manager Gareth Southgate.

During the game, fans sang Hey Baby by DJ Otzi and dozens of men ripped off their shirts, swirling them around their heads after England scored the fourth goal.

Supporters gathered at the Vinegar Yard in LondonPA

A fan in face paint in Market Square in Nottingham before the Euro2020 quarter final match PA

At the final whistle, central London broke out into a party. A growing crowd in Leicester Square cheered and chatted while wrapped in England flags.

Strangers hugged in the streets and ran up and down the road. In the distance, cars could be heard honking horns along to people dancing and clapping in the streets.

Hamza Bharuchi, 23, from London told PA that he felt the game was “terrific”.

He said: “I don’t like Gareth Southgate but I feel like he put on a good performance. I 100% think we have the chance to win the cup. Denmark are a tricky opponent but after that – of course I want England to win.”

Hamza added that he thought Harry Kane was “on fire” during the game. He said: “I think people are going to start to forget about his miss against Germany.”

Fans in Bristol ready to watch the Euro2020 quarter final match between England and UkrainePA

Fans at the Vinegar Yard in London before watching the Euro 2020 quarter final matchPA

Fans in BoxPark Croydon wait for the start of the Euro2020 quarter final matchPA

One supporter, Marc Ghossein, told PA: “It’s an amazing feeling. We have been waiting for this for 25 years now. We’re almost at the semi-final, it’s coming home. England is going to win this year.

His friend Ellie Mhanna added: “England is going to win this year’s Euros for sure. They’ve been consistent and they deserve it.”

One woman, whose boyfriend had celebrated the win with the crowd, told PA: “He’s taken off his shirt now, there’s nothing I can do.”

“I really love the national team captain, Harry Kane, because I support Tottenham. Hopefully Kane gets a goal and it’s an easy game for England. I think the score will be two nil,” she said.

England fans in the stands prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter Final match at the Stadio OlimpicoPA

Fans gather in Rome ahead of Ukraine v England REUTERS

Fans in Rome ahead of the clashPA

Fans gather in Rome ahead of Ukraine v EnglandREUTERS

Pictures also show fans with flags and dressed in the England strip gathered in cities such as Manchester, Bristol and Leeds.

Meanwhile, some fans managed to get tickets for the game as they live outside of the UK.

Luke Curner, originally from Folkestone, Kent, was able to avoid isolation as he travelled from Helmstedt, Germany, where he lives with his wife and children.

The 36-year-old bought tickets for the match in 2019 as it falls on his birthday weekend and he told the PA news agency: “I feel very privileged to be here, I’m usually on the wrong end of these kind of situations.”

Jack Francis, 20, from Southampton, travelled to Rome from France and said he feels “lucky” to be able to go.

“It feels very surreal, and hopefully it will be a memorable game which will be talked about for years to come if we go all the way,” he added.