After England’s thrilling World Cup victory over Mexico, the streets and transportation hubs of Britain were unusually quiet as fans opted for a late start to their day. The match, originally set to begin at 1 am UK time, was delayed due to severe weather, pushing the kick-off time to 2 am. Despite the late hour, millions of supporters stayed up to witness England’s triumph, which saw Jude Bellingham scoring two quick goals followed by Harry Kane sealing the win with a penalty.
The extended match duration meant many fans sacrificed sleep, leading to a subdued morning commute with roads and train stations sparsely populated. Pubs and bars were allowed to remain open until 5 am by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, enabling supporters to watch the game in a communal setting. The decision to extend licensing hours was welcomed by fans who were eager to support the national team despite the late kick-off time.
England’s victory sparked celebrations among fans, both at home and in public venues, with the thrilling match culminating in a 3-2 win over Mexico. The jubilant atmosphere persisted into the early hours as fans savored the victory before eventually calling it a night. Although the lack of sleep was evident the following morning, supporters were elated by England’s advancement to the quarter-finals.
Looking ahead, England is set to face Norway in the quarter-finals, with a more favorable kick-off time of 10 pm UK time. Fans can now look forward to supporting their team at a more reasonable hour, continuing to dream of World Cup glory without the need for sleepless nights.
