England supporters have gathered at Wembley and the Trafalgar Square fan zone in preparation for tonight's match against Denmark.
The fans are in high spirits ahead of the game, with chants of 'it's coming home' and 'Southgate you're the one' ringing out.
Hundreds of people had already descended on the Trafalgar Square zone, which has a capacity of just over 1,000, three hours before the start of the game.
The Met Police is warning people to stay away from the fan zone unless they have a ticket due to coronavirus concerns.
Meanwhile hundreds of football fans have flooded the Olympic Way route to Wembley Stadium.
In the pubs around London’s Trafalgar Square a confident buzz prevailed amongst expectant England fans getting ready for the big game.
More than 1,000 supporters managed to get hold of cherished seats inside the official UEFA fan zone for the crunch semi-final clash against Denmark following a ballot.
There was massive demand to watch the match on two giant screens either side of Nelson’s Column in the heart of the capital.
An estimated 75,000 people entered the ballot.
As anticipation built up throughout the evening fans in England shirts began to stream through the gates into the fan zone several hours before the teams came out a Wembley.
Restaurant worker Jamie Ereira, 26, from Crystal Palace, south London, said: “England are playing really. It’s definitely coming home this time. I’m over the moon to have got a ticket to be here.”
Friends Tom Partridge and Dan Burroughs, both 30, were elated to be in the fan zone for the national team’s biggest game since the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018.
“Denmark are a really good team, but being at Wembley gives England such a big advantage,” said Tom. “This tournament has been great. It’s been great getting together again after Covid and following the team.
“We feel very lucky to be here. We’ve been watching the matches in our flat and in the pub before this, but it’s so hard to get in.”
Usually the square would be jam-packed for such a massive game, but social-distancing restrictions meant that numbers were strictly controlled.
Carnival atmosphere
Meanwhile, there was a carnival atmosphere at Wembley as England fans arrived early ready to cheer the Three Lions on.
They gathered in their thousands on Wembley Way bellowing "Football's Coming Home."
English and Danish fans mixed happily as buskers sang "Sweet Caroline"
Many young fans were coming to their first ever game.
Hartlepool fan Adam Topping, 42, took his two sons Arthur, eight and Leo, five.
Leo said: “I'm very excited. It is my first ever England game.”
Adam hadn't been at England match for 20 years.
He said: “I bought the tickets at face value on the app. The boys are very pleased.”
Everton Chris Parry, 45, from Northwich, Cheshire brought his son Chester, seven to his first ever match.
Chris added: “We feel so lucky to have got tickets for such an important game. Come on England!"
Another fan heading to Wembley Stadium, Jo Andrews, 36, said she was “absolutely excited” to be there.
She said: “We are definitely going to win tonight – 3-1.
“This is our turn, this is our chance and we are going to win tonight and we are coming back Sunday.”
When asked if she thought captain Harry Kane might score again, she said: “I’m not sure but I’m hoping so.
“As long as they pass to him he will definitely get it in the goal.”
Sam Ryan, 28, who is already at the Trafalgar Square fan zone, said: "I'm feeling nervous but optimistic, which is a strange sentence for an England fan.
"Usually you'd look back at Croatia a few years ago or Germany in 1996 and think we can't get over the line in semi-finals, but this time just feels different.
"It's effectively a home tournament really, it's ours to lose - the stars seem to have aligned well.
"I really can't wait to hear the atmosphere and join in the chants - I love the Southgate one, it's terrific."
