Rush hour started early tonight as England fans dashed to secure the best seats in venues across the country.
Millions of fans packed out pubs and bars while kids rushed home from school to take advantage of the 5pm kick off. Yesterday was dubbed ‘Bunk Off Wednesday’ as workers took time off for the game.
Some employers allowed staff to work flexible hours, closed early or brought TVs into the workplace so fans could watch. An estimated third of the workforce clocked off an hour early to catch the match with high streets and railway stations emptier than usual.
Fans were predicted to drink 28 million pints of beer as they cheered on the Three Lions – with more than 15 million expected to watch on the BBC, the largest teatime audience for five years. High streets and train stations were also expected to be much quieter than usual during the game.
View 6 ImagesEngland supporters celebrate in Manchester(Image: Getty Images)
In the first half the bars fell silent on seven minutes as Brian Cipenga fired the Congo ahead. There was then uproar on 43 mins as captain Harry Kane was denied a penalty.
Then in 75 minutes everyone was off their seats as Kane headed home the equaliser, And pubs across the country erupted as he hammered the ball into the top of the net.
View 6 ImagesFans at London’s Flat Iron Square feared the worst after DR Congo’s early opener(Image: Getty Images)
Watching at Fusion Sports Bar, in Timperley, Manchester, Nik Southworth, a Man United supporter, said: “They made it hard work, but Kane is just brilliant. The defence looked shambolic every time Congo attacked. Why didn’t they take Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw?”
Huddersfield Town fan Dan Beck said: “They made such hard work of it, thank God for Kane. After watching France last night I was hoping England would put on a show. But they were pretty poor.” Doncaster Rovers fan Steve McConnell, added: “Even Scotland defended better than that.”
View 6 ImagesRelief quickly turned into celebration in Manchester after England kept their World cup dream alive(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Watching the action from Atlanta, Georgia, with two colleagues at Boxpark Wembley, sales boss Nathan Charles, 43, said: “I’m their boss and I said they could, which means I can.”
Ellie Thompson and her business partner decided to “give themselves the time off” to nab a spot at the venue. She said: “Yeah we’ve taken a half day to come and see it.” She also had tickets for Harry Styles next door at Wembley Stadium following the game, saying: “So we need it to not go into extra time and penalties so we can go in.”
Jaxson Bunman, an 18-year-old Australian wearing an England top, said: “You see how big England is with soccer and how much it means to the people and how the atmosphere’s unreal.”
View 6 ImagesThree Lions fans on Brighton beach are now looking forward to their team facing Mexico on Sunday (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
England began the World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, before a goalless draw with Ghana then a 2-0 win against Panama.
Andy Tighe, from the British Beer and Pub Association, predicted “pubs to be busy, with a very positive evening for them”. He said: “We’re very excited, it’s a great time, and because it’s the first knockout round as well it’s make or break, so there’s a lot riding on it. We are expecting the pubs to be busy.
“We’ve definitely seen some big upticks across the country in pubs for the previous games as well. We’ve seen in previous tournaments that as the tournament progresses, the level of interest only increases.”
View 6 ImagesEngland fans watch the England v DR Congo in Manchester(Image: Getty Images)
Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, which monitors absence among over a million employees at over 50,000 UK companies, said: “With a 5pm kick-off for the England game, it looks like ‘Bunk Off Wednesday’. Businesses should expect a slowdown from mid-afternoon as millions of employees stop work early to get to the pub or back home in time for the match.
“And employers are likely to see an influx of sickness absences as some staff are tempted by a whole afternoon in the pub before the game.”
Mike Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, which represents pubs and other venues, said: “A 5pm kick-off on Wednesday means pubs will be packed from the afternoon, with the later licensing hours meaning pubs can make the most of what could be one of the biggest trading nights of the year.”
View 6 ImagesFans at Boxpark Wembley enjoyed the highs and lows of the DR Congo match(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
At Boxpark Shoreditch, fans went wild at the final whistle and burst into song, including Sweet Caroline. Mark King, 34, from Sheffield, said: “I’m happy as Larry. It’s coming home!”.
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Jake Fraser, 34, from Gainsborough, Lincs, said: “Next game we need to attack, attack, attack. We can 100% beat Mexico.”
Stacey Howarth, 38, said: “Second half England smashed it! Next game, we’re in their home. We’re in their city. Ever the optimist as an England fan I think we’re going to win 2-0… but I have doubts.”
Wimbledon tennis chiefs banned screenings of the game. A spokesperson said: “We won’t be showing the World Cup. Our screens will be showing the tennis.”