Supporters across England made early exits from work on Wednesday to watch the national football team secure a place in the World Cup last 16 with a 2-1 victory over DR Congo. The match, held at 5 p.m. local time in Atlanta, Georgia, drew enthusiastic attention as fans sought venues equipped with large screens to catch the crucial fixture.
Nathan Charles, a sales manager based in northwest London, said he granted permission for colleagues to leave their offices early to head to Boxpark Wembley, a popular entertainment complex. Fans who arrived late risked missing the game's opening moments, as DR Congo took an early lead through Brian Cipenga just seven minutes into the match.
By halftime, some England supporters expressed concern over the team’s defensive frailties. Stuart Stevens, watching at a Wembley watch party, described England’s backline as “shocking” despite expectations that the squad was among the nation’s strongest in recent memory.
The mood shifted following the introduction of Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon early in the second half, sparking renewed optimism among the crowd. Fans such as Ellie Thompson, who planned to attend a later concert by Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium, hoped the match would be decided in regulation time to avoid a scheduling conflict. Their hopes were realized when Harry Kane scored twice within an 11-minute span, delivering the winning goals and securing England’s progression.
Meanwhile, at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the football match captured the attention of many attendees despite not being broadcast on the venue’s official screens. The atmosphere around Centre Court featured intermittent cheers and celebrations as fans followed Kane’s goals via their mobile devices. The traditional tennis viewing areas, including the popular Murray Mound, were dotted with spectators whose focus shifted from tennis to live football updates.
Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, acknowledged the enthusiasm for the football match among visitors but confirmed that World Cup games would not be shown on the tournament’s large screens. She noted that while the club will not facilitate viewing, it does not restrict attendees from watching matches on personal devices.
England’s victory over DR Congo sets them up for the next stage of the World Cup, extending the nation’s campaign and capturing widespread attention both inside and outside football venues.