Rush hour began early today as English supporters hurried to secure prime spots in various venues nationwide. Pubs and bars were bustling with millions of fans, while schoolchildren rushed home to catch the 5pm kickoff. Yesterday was dubbed ‘Bunk Off Wednesday’ as many workers took time off to watch the game.
Employers adopted flexible schedules, early closures, and even set up TVs at workplaces to accommodate fans. Approximately one-third of the workforce left work an hour early to tune into the match, leading to quieter high streets and train stations than usual.
It was anticipated that fans would consume 28 million pints of beer while rooting for the Three Lions. Over 15 million viewers were expected to tune in to the BBC, marking the largest teatime audience in five years. The atmosphere on high streets and at train stations was projected to be notably subdued during the game.
In the first half, bars fell silent at the seventh minute when Brian Cipenga scored for Congo. There was uproar in the 43rd minute as Harry Kane was denied a penalty. The excitement peaked in the 75th minute when Kane netted the equalizer, igniting celebrations in pubs across the nation.
Reflecting on the match at Fusion Sports Bar in Manchester, Nik Southworth, a Manchester United supporter, praised Kane’s performance but criticized the defensive lapses. Fans shared mixed reactions, with some feeling England’s performance fell short of expectations.
As the World Cup journey unfolded, England secured a 4-2 victory against Croatia, followed by a draw with Ghana and a 2-0 win against Panama. Industry experts anticipated a busy and profitable evening for pubs, given the heightened interest in the knockout round matches.
Businesses braced for a slowdown as employees planned to leave work early for the game. The anticipation of the match led to heightened sickness absences among some staff members. Pubs and venues geared up for a packed afternoon and evening, anticipating one of the most lucrative trading nights of the year.
After England’s victory, fans at Boxpark Shoreditch erupted in joy and jubilation, singing chants and expressing optimism for the team’s future matches. Despite the excitement, some fans highlighted areas for improvement in England’s gameplay and expressed cautious optimism about upcoming matchups.