Pictures show England celebrations in Colchester

Pictures show celebrations spilling out into Head Street and High Street after the historic victory. 

Police were in the town centre as fans poured out of pubs to mark the moment. 

The Three Lions qualified for their first final in a major tournament since 1996 when Harry Kane slotted home a penalty rebound in extra time in front of 60,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

It was a night of mixed emotions for home fans, after Denmark took an unlikely lead only to concede an own goal equaliser 10 minutes later.

England fans outnumbered their Danish counterparts by six-to-one inside Wembley due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Fans in Colchester town centre last night

So it was little surprise the majority of the 60,000 supporters roared as players embraced at the end of a gruelling extra-time period.

In pubs and fan zones, supporters lobbed several of the estimated 10 million pints bought on Wednesday into the air in celebration, while others removed their shirts, embraced strangers, or simply wept.

Fans in Colchester town centre last night

Many also sang, and it was no surprise the anthemic Three Lions and its familiar “It’s coming home” refrain reverberated around Wembley at the final whistle.

Fans released red-coloured smoke and sang as they swarmed out of the stadium following England’s win.

Many fans tried to stay out late to enjoy the win, with a few dozen supporters in Leicester Square climbing on top of a number 9 double-decker bus to Aldwych, cheering and holding a St George’s flag aloft before crowds were broken up by police.

The scene in Colchester last night

Met Police later said 20 arrests were made in London, with alleged offences including “common assault, public order and assault on police”.

England’s men last reached a major final in 1966, while the women’s side were losing finalists at Euro 1984 and 2009.

The final against Italy will take place on Sunday at 8pm.