The Prince of Wales has congratulated England on a 2-1 victory against Norway, which will see the team into its first World Cup semi-final since 2018.
A victorious England will face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday, after a nail-biting quarter-final saw Jude Bellingham emerge as the star player.
The midfielder followed up an equaliser scored in the first half with the second goal needed to seal the deal and book England a spot in the semi-finals.
Writing on the social media platform X, William congratulated the team on a “top performance in a tough environment” in a personally signed message.
The future king wrote: “Well done England! Top performance in a tough environment. This is a special team.
“Commiserations to a proud Norway team. Onto the semi final… Never in doubt! W”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the prince in congratulating the team, and referenced Bjorge Lillelien’s famous commentary when Norway beat England 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in 1981.
Writing on X, Sir Keir tagged Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store, writing: “Norway 1 – 2 Jude Bellingham. @JonasGahrStore, your boys took one hell of beating.”
England fans in Miami were in a jubilant mood, with many hoping to extend their trip to go to Atlanta for England’s semi-final.
Scott Bickerton, 33, from Solihull, told the Press Association: “We’re going to win it, aren’t we?
“This is the year, we’re going to win it. I’m confident.”
Asked what makes him confident, Mr Bickerton said: “Bellingham. Birmingham City, world class.”
His friend Ashley Wager, 32, from Birmingham, said: “Bellingham again. Saves the day again.”
He added: “It’s coming home, we’re going to do it.”
Jamie Smith, 31, from Birmingham, said: “Shaky first half but dug deep.
“Jude saved us again.”
Alex Jay, 45, from Birmingham, said the match was “a tough watch” but “they turned it around and did what they had to do”.
Russell Osborne, 34, from Birmingham, said: “I think we’ve got it this year. The team spirit’s there, the confidence is there.”
Jim Thompson, 57, from Leeds, said he planned on missing the second leg of his flight home to Manchester as his layover is in Atlanta.
“I think they can go all the way this time,” he said.
“The quality in the squad, it’s absolutely fantastic.
“We started off slow but they’re coming strong now – which I knew they would.”
In London, overjoyed football fans belted out Three Lions and Hey Jude in the Boxpark bar in Wembley.
Fabian Maddix, 31, said watching the game was “euphoric”, adding: “I had hopes but after the first goal went in from them, I started doubting things, but I always believe.”
He said he is now going to go home and celebrate.
Kish Kerai, 34, said the match was “electrifying” but that he planned to go home and sleep.
He said: “I had doubts but I feel like England have courage and they have heart, which you can’t replace and nothing on paper will ever be able to replace that.”
Some 1,600 football fans wearing St George’s flag bucket hats packed out the north-west London venue, where they sang football chants and songs as they prepared for the match.
Fans went silent – and some put their heads in their hands – after Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup scored a goal in the 36th minute.
But their disappointment was replaced with celebration after Bellingham scored an equaliser just moments before half-time.
Elated fans launched their pints into the air, cheered loudly and jumped around before singing a rendition of Hey Jude.
Their celebrations continued when Bellingham scored again in the third minute of extra time.
Number 10 Downing Street was decorated with St George’s flags ahead of the match.
A silence was held before the match to honour South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams, who died aged 25, just weeks after featuring in all three of his country’s group matches at the World Cup.
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