England fans buy tickets for the Euros final after last gasp Slovakia win

With less than two minutes to go against Slovakia, England fans had that familiar feeling of disappointment, heartbreak and despair.

But in the dying moments 21-year-old Jude Bellingham scored an overhead bicycle kick that cemented his place as England’s new superstar. This came as a particular relief to optimistic Three Lions fans who had already bought tickets for the Euros final.

It may have been jittery but England have booked their place in the quarter-finals thanks to the youngster, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, and a Harry Kane header to make it 2-1 in extra time.

The streets of western Germany were already being treated to renditions of Hey Jude in praise of the star midfielder this evening. As England fans hoped for a more confident performance against Switzerland next week.

After a dismal fortnight with just two goals and one win in the group stage, the main cause of England fans’ celebration so far in the squares of Germany had been Scotland’s early exit.

And at half time, there was talk of “Iceland vibes” from Gary Neville, referring to England’s disastrous 2016 Euros loss to the Nordic country.

However, after going 1-0 down in the first half before Bellingham’s heroic equaliser, England fans have a quarter final against Switzerland to look forward to next week.

Despite England’s far from convincing performance, some fans are already planning their trip to Berlin in two weeks time for the final, which would mean beating Switzerland, and then either Romania, the Netherlands, Austria or Turkey in the semi-finals.

Among those heading to the German capital are Richard Roberts and Richard Brookes, both from Stratford-upon-Avon, who were at tonight’s game. They will fly home tomorrow only to return for the final where they hope to see England.

“We are hoping for a Germany and England final in Berlin. To come over for that would be something special,” Mr Roberts, 42, an engineer, said. “We have got some very good footballers but it has been disappointing.”

“The draw has been tremendous for England. It could not be better.”

It is thought he is among hundreds who have blind faith in the team and snapped up tickets to the final when they first went on sale.

Others who have already booked flights back out to Germany and who will head to Berlin include Gary Mosey, 63, Craig Barber, 52, Matt Grammer, 64, and Sam Wright, 21, from Leicestershire.

They have made the booking in hope despite being unconvinced by England.

“We have got the best players but the performances have been poor,” Mr Mosey said before Grammer added: “They never play positively. It is always sideways.”

“We have had a lucky draw, avoiding all the better teams,” Mr Barber added.

Others who descended on Gelsenkirchen yesterday included Tony Walker, 60, a driving instructor from Bristol, who was dressed as a mediaeval knight.

“It’s not very comfortable,” he said as he pointed at his mock armour. “And England haven’t been very good so far either. We will win the tournament now though, I know after we’ve won today, we will get going.”

Some fans had also taken a gamble they would be celebrating England’s success this evening including Dale McCairn, 29, a metal spinner from Birmingham and his grandmother Linda, 77, who came out at the last minute for her birthday.

“I just don’t know what to think, I was nervous before it started,” Mr McCairn said. “But we are going to go all the way. it’s going to be England against France in the final, I’m saying it now. I’m not getting tickets but I’ll be going to the fan park in Berlin, it’s the best place to be.”

“It was pretty much the last minute today for my nan’s birthday. She loves football.”

His grandmother added: “Just as well it wasn’t penalties, that wouldn’t be the best birthday present because we’d be out.”

England’s performance may have been far from impressive but other fans joked it may fool teams that are better than Slovakia, who are ranked 45th in the world.

“We still have to turn up at some point,” Jason Andrews, 52, semi-retired, said. “Hopefully we will be better the rest of the competition. We’ve been taking it easy, let’s say we have been lulling everyone into a false sense of security. It’s all part of Gareth’s masterplan.”