Streets of England are left deserted ahead of tense semi-final against Denmark

Streets of England are left deserted ahead of tense semi-final against Denmark – as fans pack into Wembley

  • The streets of England were deserted as the Three Lions prepared to face off against Denmark this evening
  • The A167 crossing under the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle was pictured completely clear of vehicles 
  •  The view of the A34 trunk road between Southampton and Midlands at Newbury was seen empty

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The streets of England were deserted as the Three Lions defeated Denmark 2-1 this evening.    

The A167 crossing under the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle was pictured completely clear of vehicles at 8pm this evening when the match kicked off. 

Brixton Tube Station was also bereft of passengers as the nation prepared to watch England play.  

The view of the A34 trunk road between Southampton and Midlands at Newbury was seen empty prior to the game. 

Gareth Southgate’s side played the Danes at Wembley as 60,000 spectators and 30 million fans in homes across the country celebrated a spectacular victory. 

Prince William, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie also cheered on England. 

Deserted scenes in Newcastle as the A167 crossing under the Tyne Bridge stands clear of vehicles at 8pm this evening

The view of the A34 trunk road between Southampton and Midlands at Newbury deserted prior to kick off

The view of the A34 trunk road between Southampton and Midlands at Newbury deserted prior to kick off

The view of Brixton Tube Station deserted prior to kick-off for England v Denmark

The view of Brixton Tube Station deserted prior to kick-off for England v Denmark

Deserted scenes in Newcastle as the normally bustling Grey Street stands empty at 8pm this evening

Deserted scenes in Newcastle as the normally bustling Grey Street stands empty at 8pm this evening

England fans at BOXPARK in Croydon react to Denmark's Simon Kjaer scoring an own goal as they watch the Euro 2020 semi final

England fans at BOXPARK in Croydon react to Denmark’s Simon Kjaer scoring an own goal as they watch the Euro 2020 semi final

Forward Raheem Sterling pressured Danish defender Simon Kjaer to put the ball into his own net after Mikkel Damsgaard notched the opening goal with a long-distance free-kick in front of a stunned Wembley crowd

Fans in London’s Trafalgar Square were sent into raptures as England equalised, with those in the fan zone roaring loudly, jumping on to the tables and throwing their beers in the air. They began chanting ‘Come on England’ and ‘It’s coming home’.

One fan, Carl Afinwayo, 23, from Croydon, south London, said: ‘Oh my word, it’s insane, we needed that- we needed to equalise. Sterling has had a great tournament as well, he should be knighted.’

Less than 10 minutes earlier, the 8,000 UK-based Danes inside the stadium erupted as their side took an unlikely lead in the 30th minute, with an estimated 20 million people watching the match from home across England.

Fans in Trafalgar Square were left silent by the Danish opener – the first that England conceded in the tournament, and home supporters could be heard swearing and booing after the ball hit the net.

James Little, 19, a student from Sutton, south London, said: ‘I’m gobsmacked to be honest, we haven’t conceded in this tournament and I feel like the way we play means we need to score first. It’s a long way back from here, I hope the semi-final curse doesn’t strike again – this is the best chance we have to win.

Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard scores their first goal from a free kick

Denmark’s Mikkel Damsgaard scores their first goal from a free kick

The crowd outside Wembley before the match between England and Denmark at the semi finals of the Euros

The crowd outside Wembley before the match between England and Denmark at the semi finals of the Euros

England v Denmark, Wembley Stadium, London

England v Denmark, Wembley Stadium, London

‘It’s a wonder goal though isn’t it? How could (goalkeeper Jordan) Pickford save that?’  

England players took the knee again before kick-off in support of anti-racism, but no boos could be heard. ITV commentators said the atmosphere was ‘one of the best’ in recent memory and described the ‘buzz’ and ‘sense of occasion’ which could be felt in the massive stadium. 

William, the president of the Football Association, cheered England alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and their son George last week. But the prince is without his family because Kate is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.