England fans flooded into Germany today – calling for Gareth Southgate’s team to play without fear and silence critics with a thumping victory over Slovakia.
Only 6,500 tickets were officially available for tonight’s Round of 16 encounter, but hordes more than that number have already converged on Gelsenkirchen and started raising their beer glasses six hours before kick-off.
Crowds belted out ‘Football’s Coming Home’, tribute songs to Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden and the national anthem, as hopes grew for manager Southgate’s men to perform like potential European champions.
More than 30,000 England fans are expected to be inside the 60,000-capacity Arena AufSchalke to cheer on captain Harry Kane and his team-mates, full of hope despite lacklustre performances in the group stages.
Three Lions supporters demonstrated once again that, despite lack of official tickets, they had managed to circumnavigate the system and turn out in force.
Excited England supporters have been gathering outside the Arena AufSchalke in the German city of Gelsenkirchen ahead of this evening’s Euro 2024 knock-out match against Slovakia
About 30,000 Three Lions fans are expected to crowd inside the 60,000-capacity venue
Hopes are high despite criticism over England’s lacklustre displays so far this summer
England and Middlesbrough fan Paul Walker, 51, who was with his 17-year-old daughter Kalea, said: ‘It will be a dream come true for us to see England play here in Germany.
‘I live here now and make the trip back to England to see the team at Wembley – we were lucky to get tickets in the ballot and are so looking forward to seeing a 3-0 England victory.
‘The team have been criticised unfairly over the group matches because we came out top and undefeated.
‘It is a knock-out match now and we must not play defensively. We have got players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham who can put the fear into any team in the last 16.
‘England have got to be on fire and show Slovakia they are in charge. We have the team to do that, with some of the best players in the world.’
Mr Walker, who like his teenage daughter wore an England shirt, added: ‘If you look around you, you see so many England fans who have spent a lot of money and put in the travelling time to get here.
‘We are all here for England and I know that will not be lost on the players – we really are the team’s 12th man.
‘But even if we win this cup I do think it is time for Southgate to leave and I would like to see Jurgen Klopp or Eddie Howe of Newcastle take over. We do need a fresh start.
England and Middlesbrough fan Paul Walker, 51, who was with his 17-year-old daughter Kalea, encouraged Gareth Southgate ahead of today’s game: ‘We must not play defensively’
The 5pm Round of 16 match comes after England topped Group C with a win and two draws
England manager Gareth Southgate has been urged to take a more attacking approach today
St George’s Cross flags were brandished in the air as well as painted on faces ahead of kick-off
Three Lions supporters know victory today would set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland
Manager Gareth Southgate’s men have been promised fervent backing from patriotic fans
Kalea, who has travelled to Wembley several times with her father, added cautiously: ‘I think we can win, but probably like 2-1.’
Technician Keith Randall, 31, from Sheffield said: ‘England fans are amazing and we support the boys in every game.
‘What people have to remember is that they are representing their country and that is the biggest honour for them. But I always feel they are playing for us as supporters too.
‘The stadium is going to be mostly full of England (fans) and I can’t imagine what the pubs are going to be like back home. Come on England!’
Two Slovenians also travelled to support England and had the flag of St George draped over their shoulders.
Michael Mikla, a 25-year-old from Ljubljana who was with his friend Anja, said: ‘I have supported England since I was a boy.
‘When England played Slovenia last week, a draw was a perfect result for me because it meant both teams could progress.
The salesman added: ‘I would love England to be in the final. The players are the best and they play football with style.’
Two Slovenians also travelled to support England and had the flag of St George draped over their shoulders – Michael Mikla, a 25-year-old from Ljubljana, and his friend Anja
‘Football’s Coming Home’ was the overwhelming message from crowds in Gelsenkirchen
Paint, no doubt – one of many England fans is seen being daubed in St George’s Cross colours
England captain Harry Kane (left) and manager Gareth Southgate (right) appeared confident at a news conference yesterday on the eve of the crunch encounter with Slovakia
Today marks a return to Gelsenkirchen for England after an opening 1-0 win over Serbia there
Chants of ‘Football’s Coming Home’ and tributes to Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen were sung
Three Lions followers are expecting to provide the majority inside the AufSchalke Arena
Travelling fans including families have happily posed for pictures with flags ahead of kick-off
England beat Serbia 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen in their opening Group C game, thanks to a goal by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, followed by a 1-1 draw with Denmark and a goalless stalemate against Slovenia.
If Southgate’s side win today’s match which kicks off at 5pm, they would then face Switzerland in the quarter-finals next Saturday at the same time.
Switzerland yesterday progressed by triumphing 2-0 over reigning champions Italy, who previously beat England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Today’s Gelsenkirchen clash comes one day short of 18 years since England were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup in the same Arena AufSchalke venue, defeated on penalties in a quarter-final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.