The Prince of Wales was among the first to congratulate the England football team after the Three Lions battled to a 3-2 win against Mexico in their World Cup last-16 clash.
William urged the team on to the quarter-finals as he was joined by millions of fans across the country in celebrating the triumph in Mexico City.
Supporters packed out hundreds of bars and pubs for the late-night clash after the Government extended opening hours to 5am on Monday, with beers flying into the air at the final whistle following 11 minutes of added time.
The drama began early when forecasted thunderstorms struck around the Azteca stadium on Sunday evening UK time, eventually causing the kick-off to be delayed by an hour to 2am over risk of lightning strikes.
The game picked up where the weather left off, with England playing much of the second-half with 10 men after defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a high tackle following a VAR review, while both sides were awarded penalties.
The prince wrote in a social media post: “Well done England! Bring on the quarter final!”
Meanwhile MPs around the country were also up late to watch England triumph.
In a post on X, Labour MP Stella Creasy quipped: “I have no idea how I do the school run this morning after a red card and a penalty… Like having had ten espressos and a red bull chaser…”
Reform MP Robert Jenrick added: “So proud of this England team. Heroes, each and every one of them.”
The occasion also seemed to get to England captain Harry Kane, whose second-half penalty proved crucial, after he struggled to speak when being interviewed after the game.
Ecstatic England fans spontaneously broke out into Sweet Caroline at Boxpark Wembley in north-west London, with people jumping into the air and Co2 cannons blasting white fog in celebration.
Similar scenes occurred at fan parks in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle with confetti flying as shirtless fans embraced each other.
At Wembley, Ollie, 29, who did not want to disclose his surname, joked he would be “very ill” in a few hours when he needed to go to work.
“Luckily my manager is also ill,” he said. “The win was a long time coming.”
Co-hosts Mexico had only lost only two of their previous 89 competitive games at the Estadio Azteca, which lies more than 2,200 metres above sea level.
Outside the ground after the match, England fan Stuart Pearce, 62, described the matches as “one of the best games ever”.
He said: “When the Mexicans came out the whole thing vibrated – it was a great atmosphere, all the Mexicans were really friendly.
“We’ve not had one bit of trouble – the Mexicans are so friendly that one even bought us a train ticket today.”
His son Liam, 29, from Wiltshire, said the stadium was “unbelievable.”
“We sat amongst the Mexicans which was a bit terrifying to start with, but as soon as that first goal went in it was fine.
“The performances aren’t great but the best teams never play well throughout the tournament, so we’ll see.”
Ersan Beskardes, 30, from Bournemouth, was struggling with his voice after the match.
He said: “For the full 90 minutes we were there, shouting and screaming, giving it large, but we pulled through in the end.
“For the last 10 minutes, I’m not going to lie… my heart rate was up there. But we got there in the end.
“Ninety-five per cent of the time they’ve (the Mexican fans) been unreal, the little five per cent, there were a lot of pints thrown down at us. But it was all good in the end.”
England will now face Norway on Saturday in the quarter-final after the Scandinavian side defeated Brazil 2-1, but Matt Simmons, 30 from Portsmouth was already looking beyond that.
“We pulled a blinder, didn’t we? Absolutely smashed it tonight. Sensational,” he said.
“We’re going to bring it home – on the flight home, we’re going to get a nice couple of bottles of Champagne.”
The weather delay followed days of speculation around the potential impact of storms.
Fifa previously decided against moving the game forward by six hours to avoid disruption following talks with both the Mexican and English football associations.
Read MoreWith poor ventilation and children packed in, UK's outdated schoolhouses swelter in the heat
Fans prepare for late night as England v Mexico delayed
England fans vow to wait ‘as long as it takes’ after Mexico game delay
Thunderstorms delay England’s World Cup tie against Mexico
Defence Secretary visits Iceland amid ‘increasing Russian threats’
