No matter where you were last night, I think I can safely say most of England was watching with baited breath as Eric Dier slotted home the winning penalty against Colombia, sending the national team through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Whether you were in Moscow or your local back home, it was pure pandemonium when England FINALLY won a penalty shootout at the World Cup – their first penalty shootout win since Euro 96.
Despite being over in Ibiza to headline this year’s Ibiza Rocks festival, even Stormzy stopped everything mid-performance to watch The Three Lions progress to the next stage.
The South London MC halted his set in Ibiza to watch the tense shootout from a screen on stage and the moment Eric Dier slotted in the winning spot-kick Big Mike went into celebration mode with the Gang Signs & Prayer cut, Big For Your Boots, with an explosion of green confetti as the exclamation mark.
The footage was recorded by filmmaker and photographer Daniel Watson.
Just like in Ibiza, England fans back home and across the globe were dancing on cloud nine. Gareth Southgate’s men not only gave the nation hope they might actually do ‘it’ – and you know what ‘it’ is (I don’t want to say ‘it’ because I’m trying my best to keep a lid on my emotions here), but it also united the whole country with a feeling which hasn’t been felt since… well, Euro 96.
According to a study by Centropy PR, Five million England fans are expected to call in sick to work today after England’s incredible win over Colombia last night. 40 million pints were expected to have been consumed last night in pubs and bars across the country – CO2 shortage what?
While yesterday evening was filled with joy and glory, this morning isn’t looking as appealing for all those fans who were on the beers last night.
2000 people were asked if they’d consider staying home from work today (July 4) following the crucial game last night.
The results revealed, following England’s advance into the last eight, one in 10 of us were planning to stay home from work today.
Speaking to Versus back in June, Stormzy a self-confessed Manchester United fan, said:
… this is the most hopeful I’ve ever been with an England team with the young boys coming through. We’ve got Lingard and Rashford coming through, and all the new school, the new boys…if I’m going to trust any England lot, it’s you.
The Three Lions now go into the quarter-finals to face a very organised and not-to-be-underestimated Sweden, who have exceeded expectations in this tournament too. It’s a feat sports pundits and journalists alike doubted in a post-Zlatan Ibrahimović era.
England and Sweden will battle it out this Saturday (July 7) for a chance to play in the semi-finals where they will meet either Croatia or host nation Russia.
You can catch England versus Sweden live on BBC One from 2:15 PM, with kick-off at 3:00 PM BST.
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