​England fans filled a buzzing fan zone in Manchester as the Three Lions edged Norway in extra time to reach a World Cup semi-final in a tense quarter-final affair. The Grosvenor in Manchester city centre was packed as hundreds celebrated wildly, with beer sprayed into the air and fans embracing in jubilation. Across the city, up to 3,000 supporters gathered at Manchester’s Depot Mayfield fan zone, jumping and cheering after the late-night victory on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham produced a standout display, scoring twice to propel England into a semi-final clash with Argentina on Wednesday. The moment England went ahead in the quarter-final sparked fevered celebrations, and beer was hurled into the air as the team surged to victory in extra time.
Former England international Ashley Young spoke to BBC Breakfast, reflecting on the dramatic night. “It was incredible—there were highs and lows,” he said. The ex-Manchester United midfielder described the match as tough but noted that Norway tired in extra time, leaving England with a clear path to the semi-final. “I am looking forward to the Argentina game,” he added.
Peter Shilton, the former England goalkeeper who played in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany, also offered his reflections. “We have set it up for a fantastic game against Argentina again. We are in a semi-final and that’s what matters,” he commented. The Nottingham Forest legend acknowledged the hard work both teams had put in and suggested luck played a part, noting a late error by the Norway goalkeeper as a catalyst for England’s eventual triumph: “We had that little bit of luck—the goalkeeper made a bit of an error. We really battled after that.”
The Three Lions had fallen behind before rallying to win in extra time, sealing a spot in the last four. The Grosvenor, where fans had gathered, and the Depot Mayfield fan zone became focal points for collective celebrations as the nation imagines a marquee clash with Argentina in the next round.
Listeners can catch the best of BBC Radio Manchester via Sounds, and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram for ongoing updates. If you have story ideas, you can WhatsApp them to 0808 100 2230. Fans have been reacting to every goal of England v Norway, with many sharing videos of the singing and the scenes from Miami and Manchester as the nation savours the memorable night.
This has been termed by many supporters as among the greatest moments in recent England footballing memory, with the win setting up a high-stakes semi-final against Argentina in a tournament that continues to capture the imagination of fans across the country.