Almost 16 million tune in to watch England's comeback win

Almost 16 million tuned in to watch England's rollercoaster comeback win over Slovakia on ITV after the Three Lions managed to defy expectations.

The audience peaked when 18.4 million tuned in on ITV1 and ITVX on all devices to see England saved from an embarrassing exit from the tournament.

Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal prevented Gareth Southgate’s team from crashing out in the last 16.

The Three Lions fought back to beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra time, with Harry Kane sealing the win with a header.

From kick-off to final whistle, the match was watched by an average of 15.6 million people - with 66 per cent of the available TV audience tuning into the coverage, according to overnight ratings.

The total ITV coverage, which started at 3.30pm, was watched by 11.3 million.

The extra time meant the England match was followed directly by Spain v Georgia on ITV1 and ITVX, which peaked with 8.9 million.

In comparison, ITV's coverage of the King's Coronation topped out at 3.6 million viewers (and 20 million on the BBC).

And the Britain's Got Talent finale this year had an average 5.2 million people tuning in.

Jude Belllingham (left) scored a last-minute equaliser and captain Harry Kane (right) headed the team to a 2-1 victory

Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham gave the Three Lions a late lifeline in the Euro 2024 clash

England manager Gareth Southgate was seen celebrating Bellingham's last-gasp strike

England fans are daring to dream that the Three Lions' dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia can kick-start their bid for Euro 2024 glory.

The nail-biting last-16 clash left millions on the edge of their seats, but there were scenes of jubilation - including pints of beers being launched into the air - when England booked their place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

With the feelgood factor back, some fans are now planning trips to Berlin, expecting England to progress to the final in two weeks time on July 14.

England would have to beat Switzerland on Saturday - and then either Romania, the Netherlands, Austria or Turkey in the semi-finals to reach Berlin.

Pubs and gardens were packed to watch last night's game, and despite Glastonbury's organisers ruling the football wouldn't be shown at the festival, One Direction's Louis Tomlinson brought a full-size TV for crowds to gather around.

England fans react as they watch a broadcast on a large screen at Boxpark Croydon

There were tense scenes at the BoxPark before Jude Bellingham scored

Football fans for the England team gather at Croydon BoxPark to watch and celebrate

An England fan reacts as they watch a broadcast on a large screen at BoxPark Croydon

England fans react as they watched the football last night in the BoxPark, Croydon

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson brought a full-size TV to watch the game at Glastonbury

In spite of a poor performance thus far, Three Lions fans were optimistic as they clustered around screens to watch England's memorable win.

Those who were camped out in the overnight queue for the beginning of Wimbledon gathered around laptops on camping chairs grinning with excitement.

Some fans roared with victory while others sighed in relief as England moved on to the quarter-finals.

The game will be played on Saturday in Dusseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena, at 5pm.

Ticket sales are expected to open tomorrow, and flights from London to Dusseldorf are currently in the mid £300 price range.

Footage from the CCTV of one pub was posted on X, showing a group of men watching the game as Bellingham performed an overhead kick.

As the miraculous moment played out, the group of men jumped in the air and at one another, with one rolling onto the billiards table.

Another one jumped to stand on the table, unable to contain his excitement as those around him hugged each other at the Barrel Inn in Chesterfield.

Many stayed out to celebrate late into the night, singing along to 'Football's Coming Home', 'Sweet Caroline', and 'Vindaloo'.

Even Prince William chimed in on the win, posting on X: 'Emotional rollercoaster! Let's go England! Quarter finals here we come! W.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted a photo of him shouting and punching the air, captioned: 'It's not over until it's over' while opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer posted 'Never in doubt' about the win.

Actor Idris Elba congratulated England while at Glastonbury, speaking on the West Holts stage.

He was talking about knife crime as the match was ongoing and said: 'I heard it's 2-1, did we win? Hey congratulations – very good England.'

Kyle Walker joins his family in the stands after the intense match

Kyle Walker kisses his son Rezon as Annie Kilner looks on

Walker hugs his son after the tense match against Slovakia

Skipper Kane kisses his wife Katie in the stands

It turned out that England's WAGs were right in being so confident that Gareth Southgate's side was going to beat Slovakia that they pre-booked their private jets for the quarter-finals.

As reported by The Sun, some of the WAGs chartered a plane to take them to the team hotel in Blankenhain on Tuesday.

The newspaper states that Phil Foden could be set for another brief return to England following the Euro 2024 last-16 tie.

Foden flew home on Wednesday as his partner Rebecca Cooke gave birth to a baby boy prior to returning to Germany.

Southgate has given players' families permission to visit the team camp following each game.

They travelled a total of 3,200 miles during the group stages.

Following England's 1-1 draw with Denmark, the FA arranged a family fun day, which included burger trucks and bouncy castles.

Katie Kane takes a picture of captain Harry Kane posing with his child after the match

The Real Madrid player hugs his mother Denise tightly after the match

Georgina Irwin (left), wife of Aaron Ramsdale, and Aine May Kennedy (right), Conor Gallagher's partner, stand together after the tight match

Harry Kane and his teammates were also seen celebrating their comeback win.

The England captain was pictured grinning with his wife as he held up his daughter.

Conor Gallagher also celebrates with his partner Aine after the win.

And Kyle Walker greeted his wife Annie Kilner and their newborn child. Kilner, 30, travelled from her Cheshire home with all four of the couple's children.

This followed their marriage being rocked by the full-back's admission to fathering a child with influencer Lauryn Goodman.

Meanwhile, Kieran Trippier's wife Charlotte sent fans into a frenzy this week after she posted a cryptic message on Instagram about 'getting over things' - as sources have criticised her decision to 'put her marriage in the public domain'.

While it is unclear who the post was aimed at, it is understood Kieran has taken the words to be directed at himself.

Meanwhile Annie, who is the first WAG to be spotted on her way to Germany, has been dealing with drama in her own private life for several months after he was named as the father of TV star Lauryn Goodman's children.

Now it has been reported that Annie and Charlotte, who bonded when their husbands were signed at Tottenham Hotspur, may have formed a 'deadly alliance' in a show of solidarity amid drama at home.

The women, say friends, became 'super close' as they watched their other halves Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier play in north London.

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