Jude Bellingham’s wonder strike that saved England with 86 seconds to spare sparked scenes of ecstasy around the country – while catching many off guard.
The Three Lions were on the verge of being eliminated from the Euros at the hands of Slovakia when the midfielder scored with an outrageous bicycle kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Harry Kane headed one home minutes later.
Among those left stunned were two England fans giving a live interview to the BBC at a fan park in south London, with the pair insisting that Gareth Southgate could survive the defeat.
But right at that moment, as if scripted, they jumped to their feet and began wildly celebrating as Bellingham’s goal bulged the net. Similar scenes were replicated across the country, with supporters seen looking depressed one moment and elated the next.
Hilarious video from a pub shows anxious looking fans watching the game around a pool table before bundling together after the goal. One man was even seen rolling across the pool table in delight before crashing back onto the floor.
Prince William captured the mood of the nation with a tweet describing the game as an ’emotional rollercoaster’.
Agony: These England fans were telling a BBC interviewer that Gareth Southgate would surely have to step down moments before Jude Bellingham scored
Ecstasy: Joyous anarchy then erupted as Bellingham’s last-ditch effort rescued England’s tournament hopes just at the exact moment fans feared the worst
Bellingham hooked home an overhead kick for England in the final minute of stoppage time
Bellingham wheeled away to perform his trademark celebration alongside Harry Kane
One of the best videos of the night came from Box Park in Brixton, south London, where BBC presenter Joe Inwood covered the brilliant piece of television as he asked the pair of fans whether Southgate could ‘survive’ what looked set to be defeat.
The duo began answering, stating: ‘No way he’s not coming back after this.
‘He even said it himself, if they don’t win this tournament then he’s out.’
Joyous anarchy then erupted as Bellingham’s last-ditch effort rescued England’s tournament hopes just at the exact moment fans feared the worst.
One of the fans called the moment ‘perfect timing’ before adding: ‘[Southgate] can stay, he can stay.’
Similarly wild celebrations took place in the ITV studios, where Gary Neville and Ian Wright leaping into each other’s arms and screaming after the sensational equaliser, which was later followed by a headed effort by Harry Kane to make it 2-1.
‘We’re not going home!’ Neville was heard shouting.
Roy Keane, meanwhile, remained hilariously unmoved by the moment, with the Irishman spotted with his arms folded before turning away from the screen.
Video from one pub shows two men playing pool in front of a TV screen as others nervously watch on
Bedlam erupts after Bellingham finds the net, with one man rolling across the table
Similar scenes were replicated across the country following the wonder strike
In the ITV studios, Ian Wright (left) and Gary Neville (right) roared with delight after the dramatic strike
England’s lackluster performance for most of the scene had left many at home in the UK and in the stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, groaning in their seats and covering their eyes.
Some who had paid hundreds to fly out to Arena AufSchalke to watch the last 16 game even deserted their seats before the end of match – ironically missing what has been the most exciting few minutes of England’s Euros’ journey so far.
A fuming fan told Sky News as he strutted out of the game that the team’s performance had been ‘s***’ putting much of the blame on the England manager, suggesting he had given up on his role.
‘Well Southgate’s gone, hasn’t he,’ the fan said.
His friend, who appeared a bit more cheery, joked that they were leaving early ‘only because they didn’t want to get caught on the tram’.
It meant the unlucky fans – who were among a string of supporters who abandoned the stadium while England was still losing – missed Jude Bellingham’s incredible over the head kick that leveled the game 1-1 within seconds remaining.
Friends watch on anxiously at BoxPark Croydon as England put fans through the ringer
The same group were then seen wildly celebrating after Bellingham’s goal
A man watches England struggle on into stoppage time at BoxPark in Croydon
Fans celebrate as Bellingham’s strike gives them new hope
England fans grimace while watching the game at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen
Moments later they burst into joyous celebrations following Bellingham’s equaliser
They then missed out as Kane headed the winning goal in what will no doubt become known as one of the biggest shocks in Euros history.
For part of the game, the England squad was greeted with boos throughout the stadium, particularly after Ivan Schranz scored in the first half for Slovakia.
Yet as the final two goals hit the back of the net, jubilant cries and cheers erupted in the stadium with England tearing off their shirts in celebration, tipping their pints over the seats as they jumped around.
Streams of the Beatles’ Hey Jude spiked by 35 per cent after Bellingham’s strike, according to streaming data from Spotify.
‘We know we will do whatever it takes,’ Harry Kane said after the game. ‘We have another game like this in the quarter-finals then so be it. This team knows how to dig deep, that’s exactly what we done today.’
BoxPark Wembley saw similarly nervous scenes as Slovakia remained 1-0 up
Fans celebrate at BoxPark Wembley after England’s sudden reversal of fortunes
Nervous England supporters at BoxPark Wembley
Celebrations at BoxPark Wembley following England’s goal