London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Euro 2020: Fans watch England beat Croatia in opening game

Euro 2020: Fans watch England beat Croatia in opening game

England fans around the country have watched the Three Lions beat Croatia in their first Euro 2020 match.

Raheem Sterling's goal secured a 1-0 victory for the team at Wembley, which was watched by around 22,500 supporters in the stadium.

An official socially-distanced fan zone was also set up at London's Trafalgar Square.

Fans are hoping England could reach the final of a major tournament - and win - for the first time since 1966.

England players continued with the gesture of taking the knee ahead of the game, to protest against racism.

Some fans booed in response but they were drowned out by loud applause.

Ahead of the game, a video and statement released on England's official Twitter account called on supporters to avoid booing players or sending them abuse online, saying the move was about "humanity, community [and] equality" rather than politics.

Fans at Trafalgar Square celebrate as Sterling scores for England
The crowd was also jubilant at a fan zone in Manchester

Wembley Stadium is one of 11 venues across Europe hosting the tournament, which has been delayed for a year because of the pandemic.

Fans were allowed back in sports stadiums in England last month when coronavirus lockdown rules were relaxed, and Wembley will be open at 25% capacity for the first three group matches and last-16 tie.

Supporters at Wembley had to show either proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test before entry.

But if restrictions are eased further on 21 June - which Boris Johnson will announce on Monday - then capacity could be increased for the knockout stages.

The match was played under glorious sunshine and blue skies.

Spectators at Wembley had to show proof of full vaccination on the NHS app or proof of a negative test taken in the past 48 hours
Wembley will host England's Group D fixtures against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic
In London, an official fan zone was set up in London's Trafalgar Square, where England matches are being shown on a big screen.

The first two matches, which take place before the 21 June lockdown easing date, are socially distanced and for key workers only. Tickets were allocated through a free public ballot.

Sunday's match was the third meeting between England and Croatia at a major tournament.

Croatia broke English hearts when they denied England a place in the World Cup final in 2018 after beating England 2-1 at the semi-final in Moscow.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who played in that game three years ago, described Euro 2020 as a "massive moment for the country".

This is England's 10th European Championship. No team but England has ever played as many games in the tournament without ever reaching the final.

Two other fixtures also took place on Sunday, with North Macedonia losing 3-1 against Austria in Bucharest and the Netherlands beating Ukraine 3-2 in Amsterdam.

Football supporters was left reeling on Saturday evening after Denmark's Christian Eriksen collapsed and needed emergency treatment on the pitch during his team's game against Finland.

The 29-year-old now remains stable in hospital and has sent his greetings to his national team-mates, Danish football officials said.


Why not? We could win it - England players look ahead to Euro 2020


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×