Fans packed into pubs across the country cheer for joy as Three Lions take the ... trends now

Pubs and bars across England have erupted in celebrations as Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane fired the Three Lions ahead against Senegal with two goals in quick succession. 

Fans were sent into raptures as the Liverpool midfielder slotted the ball into the Senegalese net. 

In south London, revellers at the Box Park in Croydon were covered in booze as the crowd duly honoured the tradition of tossing pints in the air in celebration of an England goal. 

England fans hit the beers early this morning and continued throughout the day, calling on Gareth Southgate's men to bring football home for Christmas ahead of their knockout tie against Senegal.

MailOnline spoke to punters in boozers across Britain to gauge the excitement and anticipation just hours before the Three Lions take to the field later today, with a whopping 15 million pints expected to be sunk across the country.

At The George pub, in Croydon, England flags were almost hidden among fairy lights, baubles and festive wreaths as supporters gathered for the last 16 game against Senegal.

Nathan Hurley, 25, said: 'What better Christmas present than England lifting the World Cup? Although there may be more chance of Santa squeezing down my chimney on Christmas Eve.

'Now we just need to actually win something!'

Pal Ryan Cater, 25, was more confident and said: 'I think we'll win, we've got a lot of firepower and as long we're not overly defensive we should have too much for Senegal.

'Hopefully England will give us some seasonal cheer and not play like turkeys!'

Box Park in Croydon, which is showing the game on big screens, is housing up to 1600 fans this evening, who have paid £25 for a ticket. 

Meanwhile in Newcastle, fans began piling into the Fan Zone from 3pm to secure prime seats to watch the match.

More than 1,200 fans were expected to cram into the Fan Zone - a temporary giant marquee near Newcastle Central station - for the crunch knock-out.

Pals Jayde Guy, 31, Emily Henson, 25, and Jemma Herring donned Three Lions shirts in Newcastle as they cheered: 'It's coming home for Christmas!'

Financial services worker Jayde said: 'I'm feeling really positive. We've played some brilliant football and I don't think Senegal will be able to cope.

'I'm going to say 3-1 to England. And then beat France in the quarters. We might not be in Qatar but we are still roaring the boys on.'

Emily, an administrator from Newcastle, added: 'It will bouncing in here later. Everyone is really excited - I think there will be high energy on the pitch and in the fan zone as well.'

Arriving at Box Park Croydon three hours before kick-off, friends Joe Vickers, 26, Charlotte Page, 24, Mel Lynch 25, Sarah White, 26 and 25-year-old Freya Clarke, wore Santa hats and said they hoped England would shine as bright as the fairy lights twinkling around the Christmas trees either side of the stairs leading down into the venue.

Charlotte, who wore a festive crown rather than a Santa hat, said: 'I came here for the Wales game and it was a fantastic atmosphere so I'm hoping for more of the same tonight.'

Raucous football fans at Box Park famously launch pints of beer in the air when England score.

As supporters arrived through security, they were given ponchos to wear to avoid being soaked with booze.

Joe, from Chester, said: 'To be honest, I'll take being showered with beer all night long because it'll mean England are scoring.

'I don't think we'll take Senegal lightly, but you hope England will turn up and do the business.

'It seems weird wearing a Santa hat and watching a World Cup game next to a Christmas tree with almost freezing temperatures outside... but if England win, we can start the festivities early!'

James, 43, from Birmingham, speaking to MailOnline from a Wetherspoon's in Victoria, London, said: 'It's going to be a very tough game. They are a very physical team Senegal are, it's going to be a very tough game. 

'We need to play Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford,' he added. 'We need the same team that wins, like the last game. I am super excited, I think we are going to win and I'm predicting a 2-1 win to England. We are going to win the World Cup — it's coming home.'

'Glenn Fisk, 63, from Haywards Heath, Sussex, told MailOnline's reporters in Croydon: 'It's bizarre watching the match with Christmas decorations on the wall and I think this is the coldest I've ever been for an England World Cup game - but I'm hoping the lads will warm our spirits.'

Luke Streeter, 36, from East Grinstead, Sussex added: 'I've really enjoyed this World Cup so far because there's been so many surprises and it's not just been the established sides who have gone through to the later stages.

'England were pretty good in the group, we qualified with the best record so we've obviously got the talent and ability, but this is knockout football and anything can happen. We need to keep cool heads.

'Rashford for me is looking brighter than he did at last year's Euros so I think he may well be our key man tonight.'

At the Gunner Tavern in Newcastle city centre England fans were boozing well ahead of kick off.

College manager Chris Byrne had his cheeks painted with the St George Cross and an England flag draped across his shoulders.

Newcastle United fan Chris, 37, said: 'Normally I bleed black and white for Newcastle but right now it's red and white for England.

'For me, it's always country over club. The whole nation is united in wanting the same thing.'

Rob Henney, 30, who is the general manager of the Paxton's Head in Belgravia said: 'We are fully booked out in here tonight. People are going to be able to watch it on all three floors. It's been crazy so far and now the knock out stages are

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