Empty roads... but roads to the FINAL: Rush-hour traffic falls 20% the morning ...

England fans have pulled sickies, stayed in bed or were even given the day off today leaving roads deserted and trains empty because of the extraordinary Euro 2020 celebrations up and down the country.

Chiltern Railways services into London Marylebone were delayed this morning because of a shortage of staff as millions nursed crippling hangovers and tired heads after partying through the night.

Congestion data from TomTom showed that up to one in five cars were missing during rush hour in many cities when compared to yesterday - with some joking they were 'ringing in sick' this morning and that England's win had put the country back into a temporary one-day lockdown.

Traffic levels was as low as 20 per cent down in London and 15 per cent down in Bristol. Meanwhile in Newcastle the roads were 14 per cent less busy and in Manchester recorded similar lulls.

The Government is now under pressure to consider a bank holiday on Monday - or a day of celebration next week - in case the Three Lions beat Italy this weekend, according to Politico. 

Some bosses are already promising staff they can have leave on the day after the match, allowing employees to recover after tasting sweet victory or bitter defeat against Roberto Mancini's Italian team.

And with England now facing its biggest match for 55 years on Sunday the mad rush for seats in Wembley began just after the semi-final ended at 10.30pm. Bidding for three tickets for the Italy match, worth £1,000 each, went from £6,000 to £15,000 in the 30 minutes Gareth Southgate's heroes celebrated on the pitch last night. The bidding continued through the night, reaching £20,700 this morning.

Cars were noticeably absent from the streets in major cities and some commuter services were delayed, citing the game. One motorist said: 'Got to work in record time today. The roads were curiously empty.' 

Another added on Twitter: 'Roads are empty this morning lol i guess everyone is recovering from last night.'

And one joked the England match had been more effective than coronavirus restrictions for getting people to stay at home.

They quipped: 'I was driving and roads were empty - seems like an England match is far more effective at keeping people home than a lockdown.'

England's footballers ended their 55-year wait for a major final last night – and are just 90 minutes from Euro 2020 glory after a nerve-shredding extra-time win over Denmark at Wembley.

More than 66,000 people – joined by Prince William, Boris Johnson and a who's who of celebrities – packed the stands in Britain's biggest post-pandemic crowd.

And those fans played a crucial role as they roared their Three Lions heroes home – the 2-1 semi-final win coming by way of a Harry Kane goal in extra time. Gareth Southgate's man now face Italy on Sunday.

England won a controversial penalty for a trip on Raheem Sterling and though captain Kane saw his effort saved by Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel the striker was first to pounce on the rebound, slamming the ball home and sending fans into dreamland.

Twenty tension-filled minutes later, the final whistle sounded and Wembley – and millions watching at home – burst into a national chorus of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, with the PM and wife Carrie among those joining in.

It sets up that final against Italy, back at Wembley on Sunday evening. But for the fans, last night was all about ending the decades-long wait for a first final since the 1966 World Cup.

As the victory was confirmed, shirtless fans packed into London's Trafalgar Square fan zone sprayed beer over each other, singing 'It's Coming Home' and praising manager Gareth Southgate's team.

Vic Richards, 22, from Croydon, south London, said: 'I'm still trying to compute what happened, I've never seen England make a final.

'It's beautiful, it's unbelievable, I love this country, the players gave it their all. This is an historic occasion, we may never see this again - now we can start to believe.'

Other fans collapsed onto the ground crying with joy or partied on the tables. Oliver Ways, 28, from Mitcham, said: 'This time it's coming home, the momentum is with us, I don't care what anyone says. I'm so drunk but I don't care - the game was just how we wanted it.

'I can't believe I'm saying this but England are in a final!'

The atmosphere inside and outside the ground had been rousing and good-natured.  England players took the knee before kick-off in support of anti-racism, but no boos could be heard. ITV commentators described the 'buzz' and 'sense of occasion' which could be felt in the massive stadium.

Pubs across Britain had been packed out for the match, with 6.8million pints expected to be poured, and fans spilled out onto the streets after the final whistle. In London around 20 people were arrested.

Fans blocked roads and clambered over a stranded bus in jubilant scenes before being moved on by police to continue their celebrations.

As the result sank in, Prince William, the FA president, led the congratulations. The Duke had cheered England on alongside wife Kate and son Prince George last week but was forced to watch yesterday's game alone as the Duchess was isolating after a covid Test-and Trace alert.

But in a tweet from the KensingtonRoyal Twitter account, the couple said: 'What a game, what a result! A huge team effort @England. The whole country will be behind you on Sunday. #ItsComingHome.'

Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter after the game: 'Tonight @England played their hearts out. What a fantastic performance from Gareth Southgate's squad. Now to the final. Let's bring it home.'

Also congratulating the England victory, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted a picture of himself celebrating as he watched the semi-final match on TV, with the hashtag: '#ItsComingHome'.

In the stands, football royalty mingled with star celebrities eager to catch the action. David Beckham cheered on his former side sat near 1996 star Paul Gascoigne, who appeared to be nursing facial injuries and wore dark glasses.

Beckham chatted with former England women's player Alex Scott before kick-off, with director Guy Ritchie and Three Lions comics Frank Skinner and David Baddiel also in attendance. 

James Corden also reunited with his family at Wembley stadium, after 18 months apart, as they cheered on England at the Euros 2020 semi-final.

The Gavin and Stacey star, 42 - who now lives in America - took to Instagram to share a photograph of himself with his parents and two younger sisters in the stands. 

And it wasn't only British royalty cheering on. Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, his wife Princess Mary, and their 15-year-old son Prince Christian were given exemptions to travel to London for the clash.

Around 8,000 expat Danes living in Britain were also in the Wembley crowd but went home dejected after heir brave run in the tournament was ended.

Their side had taken the lead – a stunning direct freekick from Mikkel Damsgaard beating Jordan Pickford in England's goal for the first time in the tournament after half an hour.

But the Danish delight was short-lived. A powerful cross from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka could only be turned into his own net by Denmark captain Simon Kjaer nine minutes later.

It was a cruel twist for Kjaer who won a legion of fans for his reaction when Denmark's talisman Christian Eriksen collapsed with heart failure in their opening match of the tournament.

Danish ambassador to the UK Lars Thuesen, Who was in the crowd, said the journey had been 'an emotional rollercoaster' for his countrymen. Thinking back to Eriksen's illness, which stunned the footballing world and millions watching on TV, he said:

'It started out we were crying, we were praying, then a few minutes later, when we realised he was going to recover, we were crying (tears) of joy. There are higher things at stake than football.'

England fans Scarlet Devereux and Lucy Millard, both 18, were elated as they came out of Wembley. Ms Devereux said: 'It was a brilliant game, the atmosphere was absolutely amazing.

Ms Millard said: 'It's the first time in so many years we've been in the semi-finals so it's absolutely amazing. It's coming home.'

John Samonas, 47, who watched the game from the stands with his son Lucas, 13, said the atmosphere in Wembley Stadium was 'surreal'.

Mr Samonas, a ship broker from London, said: 'It was great, I can't believe it - it was surreal. It was amazing, it was exhausting, it was emotionally draining, just let everything out.'

When asked if he thought England could beat Italy in the final, Lucas, who had just watched his first international game, said: 'Southgate can do it - it will be difficult but we can win.'

The British Beer and Pub Association said England's success was a welcome boost for the ailing hospitality industry.

'With England fans' support, we hope that pubs will sell 6.8 million pints during the semi-final match,' the BBPA's chief executive Emma McClarkin said.

Looking forward to the final, she said it would 'a huge boost to our pubs and the nation'.

'After a long wait, the pubs we love should be restriction-free from July 19. Only when the restrictions are removed can our pubs recover, but to do so they need Government investment to build back better.'

Earlier the stadium grounds were awash with red, white and blue, with onlookers describing scenes of 'carnage' as England fans sang 'It's Coming Home' and 'God Save the Queen', let off flares and did knee slides while taking selfies with rival supporters wearing Viking horns.

Fans without tickets to the game went drinking in Leicester Square before heading to the official fan zone in Trafalgar Square. Three dressed as lions said they were watching the match at Wembley, while a fourth was made up as a 'lion tamer' who would 'keep us under control if Denmark win'.

Ben Edwards, 43, Craig Pope, 47, Matt Glew, 38 and 'tamer' Laurence Page, 72, who was wearing an England flag top hat said they were confident of victory. Pointing at his lion headgear, former banker Mr Page added: 'We paid about £100 per hat but it was worth every single penny, we've been asked for autographs and all sorts.'

Some England fans came dressed as knights and faced off against their Danish rivals clad in Viking outfits.

Jospeh Afrane, meanwhile, wore a St George's flag shirt and tie, shoes decorated with the Union flag and a white suit as he held his England scarf aloft under the famous arch.

The 55-year-old from Battersea, South London, said: 'It's time for England to get to a final and I'll be cheering them on all the way.'

Confident couple Lee and Steph Roberts from Medway in Kent were predicting a 3-1 win to England. Both work for McDonalds - where they met - and shelled out just over £1,000 for the tickets

Lee, 37, said: 'I went on the UEFA website and snapped them up after the Germany game so it was a bit of a risk as I could've been watching Ukraine vs Czech Republic but luckily we got through and I'm watching England.'

England fans travelled from far and wide to support the team. Two supporters, who gave their names only as Clare, 47 and Charlotte, 44, both from Stockton-on-Tees, said they have travelled around 250 miles to watch the game in London 'on a whim'.

The pair have no tickets to Wembley, but made the journey to support the team in the capital and enjoy the atmosphere. Clare said: 'We saw it on YouTube, the fan zone and everything, and we thought we want to be a part of that.'

A father and son said they have travelled to London from Nottingham after winning tickets to the semi-finals two years ago in a ballot.

James Garmon, 45 has brought his son, Harry Garmon, 11, to see a match at Wembley Stadium for the first time, and only surprised him with the tickets recently.

Speaking before they headed to the stadium, Mr Garmon said: 'Harry is a big football fan, he plays football, so what better time to come down and see the England team.

'I entered the ballot a couple of years ago to get tickets for the semi-finals, hoping England would get through and the plan was if they got through, though he was nine at the time, I thought I would bring my son to come and see England.

'It all worked out, it's been two years in the making.'

Even the Coldstream Guards got into the action, after Prince Charles invited them to blare out renditions of Three Lions and Sweet Caroline from the gardens of Clarence House yesterday.

Now for the historic hangovers! England fans party into the night as they celebrate the nerve-shredding semi-final win with beers, cheers and tears of delight

England fans will wake up nursing a national hangover this morning after thousands of supporters partied through the night following the country's historic victory at Wembley last night. 

Scores of supporters prepared to call in sick for work today following a night of booze-fuelled partying after the Three Lions defeated Denmark 2-1 during a nail-biting showdown in front of 60,000 spectators at the Wembley Stadium. 

Last night's victory is a historic achievement for England and ended their 55-year wait to qualify for a major final – sealing their place in Sunday's final against Italy.

The scenes of celebration came as police revealed 20 arrests have been made by officers for a number of offences including common assault, public order and assault on police. 

Following England's victory, crowds of fans in Wembley leapt onto their seats and waved their flags in the air as Gareth Southgate's squad beat their rivals following a nerve-shredding thriller.

And in London's Trafalgar Square, hundreds of fans were seen blocking traffic as the celebrations poured onto the streets.

Some formed an impromptu mosh pit in front of the big screens while others grouped together at the London landmark with chants of 'Southgate you're the one' and 'Don't take me home' ringing out.

Fans with flags were also spotted lighting red flares and sending smoke through the night sky as around 50 officers stood in attendance, watching from a distance.    

Car horns also blared from the roads in an attempt to join in with the celebrations as shirtless fans threw beer into the air.

Music royalty manager Roisin Brophy, 31, from Bath, said: 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment and incredible to experience it in Trafalgar Square. Football could be coming home, and this is lifting the whole country after Covid.' 

Accountant Paul Mehta, 38, from South London, said: 'The beers have been flowing and Italy will be tough in the final, but we can do it.

'The players will be real heroes if we win it. Southgate got his decisions right for the semi, and the players are performing well for him.'

Vic Richards, 22, from Croydon, south London, said: 'I'm still trying to compute what happened, I've never seen England make a final.

'It's beautiful, it's unbelievable, I love this country, the players gave it their all. This is an historic occasion, we may never see this again- now we can start to believe.' 

England are now just one game from football glory after they secured a spectacular victory over Denmark after Harry Kane's extra-time penalty-kick secured the Three Lions' place in Sunday's Euro 2020 final against Italy.     

Following England's spectacular victory, window cleaner Terry Johnson, 72, of Partington, Greater Manchester, who watched the 1966 World Cup Final in his sitting room, said: 'It's amazing. I have waited more than 50 years to see us in another final and it's happened.

'I am so happy especially for those who have not seen us in a final. I watched the World Cup final win with my nine brothers and sisters. And now I get the chance to see us win something again. I'm confident we go on and lift trophy.'

And hairdresser Jane Brooks, 23, of Blackpool, Lancashire, said: 'That was incredible. It was so nervy but the boys did it.

'Gareth has everyone bouncing. It feels like we have won the lottery. I can't wait for the final.'

Earlier tonight, excited fans eager to soak up the atmosphere, donned replica kits, face paint and fancy dress as they began to arrive to the Wembley Stadium before kick-off. 

Meanwhile thousands were seen filling out the tables and enjoying a drink at Boxpark in Croydon ahead of the eagerly anticipated game. 

One supporter, Chris Flood, 38, from Croydon, said: 'We're going to win it. Obviously penalties are 50/50 but it's not going to happen, the way England have been playing.' 

And Estelle Vella, 29, a product developer also from Croydon, said: 'We've got a great team. Harry Kane is on top form and with Raheem Sterling up front, we can't lose.'  

Another fan at Croydon's Boxpark, Jack Hockney, 22, from Enfield, said: 'No nerves, no nerves around here. We've not conceded a goal, we're not going to concede a goal. It's coming home.'         

 

 

 

 

Is it coming home? Prince William looks dapper in a suit as he cheers on England in the semi-finals against Denmark at Wembley - but Kate Middleton stays at home after being forced into self-isolation

Prince William looked in high spirits as he supported England in the team's spectacular Euro 2020 semi-final victory over Denmark at Wembley this evening. 

The Duke of Cambridge, 39, who looked dapper in a suit, could be seen applauding from the stands as he cheered on Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad. 

He joined Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie, as well as Danish royals Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 49, and her husband Crown Prince Frederik, 53, and their 15-year-old son Prince Christian, who also attended the highly anticipated match. 

But while Prince William represented the British monarchy, his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, was forced to self-isolate after she came into contact with someone who tested positive - despite being double-jabbed and testing negative for the virus herself.