Euro 2020: England take on Scotland in historic Battle of Britain football clash
What a bunch of drips: Uninspiring Three Lions are held to a 0-0 draw in pouring rain by Scottish underdogs – with Gareth Southgate’s players BOOED at full time by Wembley fans for their performance
- England side was led out by captain and star striker Harry Kane as they came face to face with the Auld Enemy
- They were cheered on their walk out by some 22,500 supporters – 2,800 being Scots – under the iconic arch
- But fans booed countries’ national anthems as well as when both teams took the knee in show against racism
- Both sides went down on one leg seconds before kick off got underway, where jeers were slowly drowned out
- Scotland’s national anthem, Flower of Scotland, was shouted over by England fans despite pleas from the FA
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Scotland last night held England to a tense draw in London as Gareth Southgate’s men were booed off the pitch following an uninspiring performance.
The underdogs more than matched their local rivals but neither side were able to break the stalemate after 90 minutes – marking their first ever draw at Wembley.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led the celebrations as she said it was a ‘proud and gutsy’ effort, adding: ‘Yes, sir, you all boogied.’
The Three Lions were also jeered off at half time during the clash against the Auld Enemy as they came face to face for the first time in the Euros in a soaking wet stadium.
They had earlier been cheered on their walk out by some 22,500 supporters – 2,800 being Scots – under the iconic Wembley arch before the highly-anticipated clash.
Among the famous faces to make the trip to the 90,000-seat stadium were David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson and WAGs such as Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte and Scotland’s Craig Gordon girlfriend Summer Harl.
Meanwhile Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was spotted in the stands as he recovered from a bruising day where his party suffered its worst by-election result ever in Chesham & Amersham.
After the full time whistle, Scottish fans returned to Leicester Square, where they had spent the day partying before the game, to continue their wild celebrations.
But police had to arrest 18 people amid the revelry for a variety of offences including violence, drugs, possession of knuckle dusters, and assaulting an officer.
One England fan was arrested for taking a swing at an officer after he became angry at being unable to pass a police line and meet up with a friend who had been knocked to the floor in a scuffle among drunk England fans.
The match got off to an ugly start as fans booed the countries’ national anthems as well as when both teams took the knee in a show against racism.
Players went down on one leg just seconds before the game got underway, where the jeers were slowly drowned out by applause and cheers inside the stadium.
Scotland’s national anthem – Flower of Scotland – was shouted over by England supporters despite pleas from the Football Association for them to show respect.
The game comes after 20,000 Scottish fans turned the English capital into mayhem over the last two days, with punters fighting, stripping naked outside and swimming in public fountains.
Police admitted they had to ‘flexibly’ manage the huge swathe of Scotland fans who took over the West End earlier yesterday with no social distancing, showering any England supporters brave enough to go near them with beer.
Lyndon Dykes and Billy Gilmour of Scotland react as team mates Andrew Robertson and Che Adams acknowledge the fans last night
England’s Declan Rice (second left) reacts after a missed chance to score during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match against Scotland at Wembley
England’s Harry Kane looks miserable as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the poor performance against underdogs Scotland
England fans got a soaking last night at Vinegar Park in central London as they watched their side slump to a disappointed second Euros match
Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after the England v Scotland game ended in a 0-0 draw on Friday at Wembley Stadium
An England fan holds his head in his hands as others watch on following a lacklustre performance by the national team on Friday
The underdogs more than matched their local rivals but neither side were able to break the stalemate after 90 minutes. Pictured: Fans in Manchester last night
Crowds thronged into Leicester Square in central London after the scoreless draw at Wembley on Friday night
Fans pose in front of a line of police officers after the final whistle in Leicester Square as Scottish supporters celebrated the stalemate
Michael Gove and his son are pictured with Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Martha Hancock at Wembley Stadium on Friday night
Thousands had descended on the capital for the crucial game in the group stages of Euro 2020, whose result leaves Scotland with a glimmer of hope
This England fan looks devastated as he watched the game at Boxpark in Croydon, south London, in the rain on Friday evening
An England fan looks miserable as he watches his national team play at Wembley while he sits in Newcastle’s Times Square
Supporters of the English national side put their hands on their head at Trafford park in Manchester as they react to an opportunity for their side
Police have arrested 18 people amid the wild celebrations in central London as Scotland held England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley, sending the Tartan Army into raptures as they continued their drunken revelry in the West End
Devastated England fans in Manchester wearing old school kits from previous years look dejected as their national side slump to a weak draw
Scotland fans celebrate as they support their team in the Euro 2020 game following an easy draw against England on Friday night
The arrests included for racial aggravation, drunk and disorderly behaviour and assault on a police officer
One young Scotland supporter in Wembley Stadium in north London on Friday night cheers as his side take home a point
Fans chanted after the famous result which leaves Scotland with a glimmer of hope of qualification if they win their final group game
Scotland fans in a pub in Glasgow watch the game between England and their national team as they enjoy the result
Scotland fans cheer as their team hold England to a draw at Wembley on Friday night in the rain
Football fans, some draped in Scotland flags and wearing kilts, sang and chanted in Leicester Square after their team’s nil-nil draw with England
There were thousands gathered in the London square after the full time whistle as Scottish fans took part in wild celebrations
Metropolitan Police officers separate fans from Scotland and England in central London during the match on Friday night
Fans put on waterproofs as they watch the England game against Scotland at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square, central London
Supporters shelter under brollies as they watch the game in a soaking wet Trafalgar Square in central London on Friday night
England and Scotland players took a knee moments before kick-off in their Euro 2020 game
The two teams were met with cheers and applause which drowned out a smattering of jeers
Substitutes of Scotland take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to the Euros 2020 match last night
Former England captain David Beckham and his son Romeo were among the famous faces in the stands cheering on their country on Friday evening
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was spotted in the stands as he recovered from a bruising day where his party suffered its worst by-election result ever in Chesham & Amersham
Supportive: Harry Maguire ‘s sister Daisy took to Instagram to share posts and videos of herself at Wembley, London on Friday night for the England vs Scotland match
Family out in force: Daisy wore a white England T-shirt brandishing the number 6 – Harry’s squad number – which she teamed with a pair of light wash jeans
Loving it! Daisy gathered with close family and friends for a group snap
Ms Sturgeon led the celebrations as she retweeted a number of posts from the national side and penned her own reaction to the game.
She wrote: ‘What a proud and gutsy performance #SCO – well done @ScotlandNT. We leave Wembley undefeated…and now it’s game on for Croatia at Hampden.’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford put: ‘An excellent performance by #sco desire, application, organisation and a decent amount of skilful invention.
‘On another night we might have taken three points not one. Win on Tuesday and we can stay in £EURO2020 Well done @ScotlandNT. You have done Scotland proud.’
Meanwhile London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who attended the match at Wembley, tweeted: ‘A fair result given the determination on both sides.’
He added: ‘Scotland held that line and made us work for the point. Now, on to next Tuesday and the Czech Republic.’
Supporters had a ‘fantastic’ time in the Trafalgar Square fan zone, despite rain throughout most of the match.
Malcolm Gillespie, from Falkirk but living in London, said the draw was an ‘amazing’ result for Scotland and praised the setup at the central London designated key worker area.
The 41-year-old, who attended with his son Santiago, eight, said: ‘I’m happy but I definitely think we could have edged a win. They’ve played really well.
‘It’s been fantastic, a really nice atmosphere. I spoke to some English fans who were really friendly. We’ve loved every minute of it.’ On the weather, he said: ‘It’s OK, we came prepared, we’re Scottish.’
Another fan wearing a poncho told how the experience had been worth it, despite the wet weather. Euro 2020 volunteer Mark Cumberworth, 58 and from Essex, said: ‘I’m absolutely soaked but it’s been good fun.’
On the result, he said: ‘I’m disappointed, it’s almost like we’ve settled for a draw, which isn’t worst result in the world. Scotland have played well. England have no chance (of winning the Euros) playing like this.’
John Stones of England hits the post from a header during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Scotland at Wembley Stadium
Scotland last night held England to a tense draw at Wembley as Gareth Southgate’s men were booed off the pitch following an uninspiring performance
Phil Foden, John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane of England stand for the national anthem prior to the match
Harry Kane leads the England stars such as Jordan Pickford behind him out onto the soaking wet turf at Wembley for the match
Fans of England show their support prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Scotland
There were also fears the largely-English stands would jeer while the Scottish national anthem was played and sung before kick off
Scotland supporters hold up their banners as they cheer and sing their way through the opening moments of the game on Friday
Scotland supporters are pictured watching the highly-anticipated match at Wembley Stadium in north London in the rain
One female England fan holds up a picture of the Queen while another dons a cowboy hat as they cheer on their national team
They were cheered on by some 22,500 supporters – 2,800 being Scots – under the iconic arch ahead of the must-win game
But there were concerns among football bosses that both sets of fans would boo the two teams when they take the knee in a show against racism
Scotland supporters who made the nation-wide trip from north of the border sing in the stands at Wembley in central London
An England fan holds aloft a flag of St George as he cheers along to the national anthem ahead of the tie against Scotland last night
Ahead of kick off on Friday night, England and Scotland stars were booed for taking a knee but they were slowly drowned out by applause and cheers inside the stadium.
Yet Scotland’s national anthem, Flower of Scotland, was jeered by England supporters despite pleas from the Football Association for supporters to respect the anthem.
Scotland’s players opted against taking the knee before their Euro 2020 opener against the Czech Republic, with both teams instead deciding to stand. They then decided to stand with England as a symbol of unity.
Fans were joined in Wembley last night with a few famous faces including Beckham, Sir Keir, Sir Alex and a splattering of WAGs and siblings of the players.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire‘s sister Daisy took to Instagram to share posts and videos of herself in London for the clash.
Daisy wore a white England T-shirt brandishing the number 6 – Harry’s squad number – which she teamed with a pair of light wash jeans.
Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte took to social media to show off what she was dining on in a VIP area of the stadium.
Summer Harl, the girlfriend of Scotland’s Craig Gordon, dressed their adorable baby son, Ace, in a Scotland T-shirt as they flew to London to watch the match.
The mother-of-one kept thing casual in black leggings and trainers with a beige mac adding a lighter hue to her ensemble.
Outside Wembley supporters were cleared out of Leicester Square in the city centre before the end of the match by police who sealed off the five entrances to the area.
Squads in fluorescent yellow jackets formed a human barrier to stop any fan from entering. The William Shakespeare statue was also sealed off by police.
More than 50 police officers poured into the area shortly after 9pm to take up position across the five routes into the square. Leicester Square falls within a dispersal area giving police powers to move people out of the area.
Scotland fans donned in their national kits are some of the lucky few to get tickets to Wembley in north London on Friday night
Fans watch the England/Scotland game at the fan zone in Glasgow as they cheered on their national team playing their local rivals
Supporters react to the big screen at the 4TheFans Fan Park at Event City in Manchester on Friday night during the match
Four young women watch the England versus Scotland match as they swig beer in the 4TheFans Park in Manchester last night
Scotland fans celebrate in Glasgow as one woman kisses a man while three others smile for a photograph in the fan park last night
Scotland supporters are pictured enjoying the match in Glasgow, some of the people who did not make the trip south of the border yesterday
England supporters stand in pens outside in the rain in Manchester as they watch the end-to-end game on Friday night
Fans watch the England v Scotland UEFA Euro 2020 match at the fan zone in Trafford Park, Manchester, on Friday night
A man and woman watch England play Scotland wearing plastic coverings at Vinegar Yard in the capital while the match went on at Wembley in London
The fans who had remained in Leicester Square did not put up any resistance to being ordered to leave. One police officer said: ‘No fans are being allowed to congregate here for the rest of the night.’
Earlier in the day, Scottish football fans parted to allow the Three Lions fans walk past – then tossed booze over them as they hurried by and let off blue and white smoke flares chanting: ‘I’d hate to be English’.
The Tartan Army had been in the pub at 10am, trashing central London and leaving the capital’s landmarks strewn with detritus having completely ignored pleas from Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Met Police to stay away.
They flouted a Scotland Yard two-day order warning them not congregate in the West End from 3pm yesterday – and instead they partied in Leicester Square where they danced in fountains they filled with foam into the night.
On Friday afternoon, officers admitted defeat in trying to move on the fans and said they would implement a ‘flexible policing plan… to reduce the likelihood of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour’.
Chief inspector Joe Stokoe said: ‘We have contingency plans to deal with any number of potential incidents as they arise but my message is clear: if you don’t have ticket to the matches, fan zone or officially booked into a pub, bar or club, please do not come to London – you could end up missing the game.’
After a night of disorder, the fans were back on the beers in the West End in the morning, with 20,000 Scots said to be in London and thousands more arriving by train from Glasgow and Edinburgh throughout the day.
When the hundreds of fans finally dispersed from Leicester Square, the whole area was littered with crushed beer cans, broken bottles and plastic bags.
Most of them still chanting were visibly drunk, some barely able to stand and staggering away with the sound of crunching glass underfoot.
Opposite the Hippodrome Casino ambulance crews had one fan strapped to a stretcher but before they could take him away he vomited.
His friend was equally drunk and was propped up against a wall by a police officer, but despite the state of many present, no arrests were made.
Many questioned why Nicola Sturgeon allowed the fans to travel south as she appealed for them to ‘stay safe’ on Friday and ‘be respectful to our hosts’.
She strongly condemned the thousands of Rangers fans who gathered earlier this year to celebrate their league title, but had not spoken out strongly against the Scottish fans descending on London.
Many noted the irony of Ms Sturgeon imposing a travel ban to Manchester and Salford because of rising cases there at the same time as tens of thousands of Scots travelled to London without a ticket to the game.
A man holds on to his St George’s flag as he watches the match, with face paint also splattered all over his head on Friday night
A Scotland supporter in Glasgow wears a traditional cap and paints his face blue as he watches the match in a fan park there
Fans watch the England v Scotland UEFA Euro 2020 match at Vinegar Yard in central London on Friday evening
Supporters in Newcastle’s Times Square go through the gamut of emotions in the first half as they watch England take on Scotland
Scotland fans cheer as they support their team in the Euro 2020 game against England on June 18, 2021 in Glasgow
Fans watch the England v Scotland UEFA Euro 2020 match at Vinegar Yard, central London, on Friday night in the looming rain
Scotland fans cheer as they support their team in the Euro 2020 game against England on June 18, 2021 in Glasgow
England supporters prepare to cheer on their team at the 4TheFans Fan Park in Manchester as the match got underway on Friday night
Fans watch the match wearing costumes at the fan zone in Glasgow as the game got underway
Scotland fans watch the match on their smartphone in Glasgow instead of heading to the pub to watch on television
Fans watch the England versus Scotland match at Vinegar Yard in central London in the dark and wet on Friday night
Scotland fans are seen singing the national anthem prior to the match against England in Edinburgh, the capital, on Friday night
Scotland fans in Glasgow dress up as they head out in poor weather to watch their national team in the rain on Friday night
Fans react after a shot on goal as they watch the England v Scotland UEFA Euro 2020 match at the Hastings Pier fan zone
Last night supporters hugged and posed with smiling police officers meant to be dispersing them from central London.
Thousands of fans also spent the afternoon and evening in Hyde Park, which was strewn with litter including bottles and takeaway packaging. Although there were wild scenes of drunkenness, only two arrests were made.
A 25-year-old man was last night detained and cautioned for indecent exposure in Hyde Park, while another man was arrested for trying to take a police officer’s hat, assault with intent of avoiding arrest and assault of an emergency worker. He was taken to a south London police station where he remains.
It came as two men were badly hurt after a fight on the street just behind Leicester Square as Scottish fans partied.
The Met said a 55-year-old male is fighting for his life, and police say inquiries are going including into whether it is football related.
On Friday afternoon, more than 1,000 fans packed into a row of restaurants just off Leicester Square, whipped into a frenzy by bagpipe player Martin Brown.
Wearing full Scottish regalia he led the massed fans as they sang along to his bagpipes, with the thronging crowd making it impossible for others to walk through.
Police kept watch but only ventured into the crowd after reports of bottles being smashed as fans revelled in the party atmosphere.
One said: ‘This feels line a normal football match and we can forget about all this Covid stuff.
‘For many here it’s been over a year since we could get away. Playing our biggest enemy just makes it all the more sweeter.
‘There’s been no trouble. People here just want a bit of fun and a good drink.’
Hundreds of fans again congregated by the William Shakespeare monument clambering into the fountain and standing atop the statue.
Dozens of police were on duty in the area but stood back from the crowds, while fans attempting to enter Leicester Square tube station carrying alcohol were told to leave it behind.
Tube staff swept broken glass from the steps as fans mingled with commuters and shoppers leaving the area.
While face masks are compulsory on the London Underground no attempt was made to stop any of the maskless fans from entering.
Fans watch the England v Scotland UEFA Euro 2020 match at the fan zone in Glasgow wearing flags on their back and painted on their faces
Fans watch the England/Scotland clash at the fan zone in Glasgow. They look nervous but their side got off to a strong start and surprised some pundits
What social distancing? There was little room for space in Leicester Square as Scotland fans massed yesterday ahead of the game
A huge crowd of Scotland fans gather near Leicester Square in the West End ahead of the England verus Scotland Euro 2020 clash
There were wild scenes of jubilation throughout the day and despite the drunken revelry, police have only made two arrests so far
Throughout the day, the Tartan Army were chanting, letting off flares and drinking as they made the most of the rare occasion for an England clash in an international tournament
A fan attempts to clear up the huge amount of litter left in Leicester Square after the fans vacated to make their way to the stadium
Fans seized the opportunity to jump into the fountain in Leicester Square and take off their shirts as they sprayed water over each other
The supporters left huge piles of litter in the popular London square with cans and bottles strewn across the floor after fans moved on
When the hundreds of fans finally dispersed from Leicester Square, the whole area was littered with crushed beer cans, broken bottles and plastic bags
A topless fan has a run up then slides on the wet pavement to the delight of the gathered supporters during the crazy scenes ahead of the highly-anticipated clash
There were clashes among the Tartan Army, many of whom had arrived on Thursday and had been drinking throughout the day
Fans scaled monuments, let off blue flares and sprayed beer over each other in the party atmosphere in the capital on Friday
Supporters dance among the litter in central London after thousands of fans descended for the Euro 2020 clash between the old rivals
Police watched on the proceedings throughout the day but rarely intervened as fans enjoyed the party atmosphere for the highly-anticipated game
England fans making their way to Wembley or a pub were booed and jeered.
Scotland supporters had partied through the night in central London despite the Metropolitan Police issuing a 48-hour dispersal order Thursday as 20,000 ticketless supporters descended on the capital ahead of Friday night’s Euro 2020 crunch match against England at Wembley Stadium.
Thousands of boozed-up fans draped in flags and wearing Scotland jerseys were seen chanting ‘we hate f***ing England’ as they jumped into the William Shakespeare fountain in Leicester Square, while others partied hard in Hyde Park – some naked – ahead of the 8pm match.
Supporters poured off trains at King’s Cross Station on Thursday, despite just 2,800 tickets being sold to Scotland fans, after Mayor Sadiq Khan pleaded with ticketless supporters to ‘enjoy the game from Scotland’. He previously said fans would provide a needed boost to London’s hard-hit hospitality sector.
A small number of Scottish fans ventured out into central London for pre- match drinks and a cooked breakfast yesterday morning.
The advance party of supporters headed to a Wetherspoons pub for pints and breakfasts.
Among them was 27-year-old Josh McNair, who had left his friends sleeping off the excesses of the night before.
‘I didn’t feel too bad so came for breakfast’ he said as he walked into the pub.
‘Things will not get going until the afternoon when everyone wakes up and wants a drink’ The Wetherspoons was the only pub to open before 11am.’
The Mayor’s warnings that the influx of people would cause a ‘serious risk’ of spreading Covid-19 prompted pubs to cancel bookings, while London Ambulance Service admitted it had no plans to have an increased amount of medics on standby as a mass party broke out in Hyde Park.
Glasgow was previously a hotspot for the so-called Indian coronavirus variant, but has since been downgraded from its high alert status. Though most of Scotland was recently lowered to Level One in the county’s five-tier system, 13 council areas are in Level Two as the virus surges.
Scotland Yard has now issued a Section 35 Dispersal Order until 3pm on Saturday, in anticipation of ‘anti-social behaviour’. The order gives a police constable and a police community support officer the power to exclude a person from an area for 48 hours with an Inspector’s authority.
With rain expected to pour all night into Friday, celebrations could be dampened – meaning that police could have less on their hands than they might otherwise expect ahead of the Euro 2020 clash.
Without a flare in the world? Scotland fans yesterday seemed unworried about social distancing or staying dry in London
Flaring up! Scottish football fans arrive in London yesterday for the European Championship tie versus England this afternoon
Showing plenty of flare: Scottish football fans arrive in London yesterday for the European Championship tie versus England
A fan with a Scottish flag draped over his shoulders walks through piles of rubbish left by supporters during the pre-match antics
Scotland fans gather in Leicester Square yesterday before the UEFA Euro 2020 match between England and Scotland later
A Metropolitan Police spokesman tweeted this evening: ‘Due to the high profile UEFA EURO Football match between England & Scotland on Friday 18th June at 8pm and the anticipated anti-social behaviour this may bring, a section 35 dispersal authority has been implemented.
‘This has been authorised by Inspector Dodds from 1500 hours 17/06/21 till 1500 hours 19/06/21 in the West End area in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of members of the public being caused alarm harassment and distress and the occurrence of criminality in the local area.’
Mr Khan said: ‘Scottish fans are renowned around the world for bringing a party atmosphere with them to the big tournaments but with COVID restrictions still in place on both sides of the border, the best thing for fans without tickets to the game or a safe place to watch it is to enjoy the game from Scotland and not come to London.
‘In an ideal world I would welcome the Tartan Army to London for this match with open arms – but with Covid cases increasing, and with so much at stake as we fight this awful virus, I’m afraid that it just cannot be this time, so the best thing to do is not to come to London and instead enjoy the game at home.’
In February, the Mayor said he wants to see Scots ‘coming down to London to watch the Scotland-England game’ and said Euro 2020 will be a ‘springboard to a recovery, particularly if it’s domestic fans only’.
Many booked pub visits well in advance to get the best deals. But, after Mr Khan’s more cautious approach this week, many pubs have retracted bookings – with fans claiming it was down to their Scottish post codes.
Supporter Gary Ayton told MyLondon: ‘Sadiq Khan said he wants the Scotland fans to travel down; ‘feel free to come in book pubs, it will be good for tourism’, so everyone has done it, then literally a week later, they’re saying ‘if you’ve not got a ticket don’t travel’.’
All 32 trains departing Edinburgh and Glasgow for the capital on Friday are fully booked, and southbound services from Manchester are also extremely busy.
And all bar one train arriving from Glasgow on Thursday were sold out on Thursday, meaning the influx of fans has begun more than 24 hours before kick off.
And with no fan zone for those without tickets at Wembley, questions have been raised about where the droves of fans will go on Friday – especially as forecasted rain is set to make outside spaces a no-go.
The rule of six and strict social distancing measures are still in force indoors, meaning those hoping to watch the match from pubs and sports bars to shelter from the downpour could be facing disappointment.
Footage taken at King’s Cross Station showed droves of Scotland fans – several wearing blue football kits – disembarking their train. Several chanted ‘we’ll be coming down the road’, a Scotland Football Team song.
Huge crowds were seen gathered outside the station, with Met Police officers on guard in case the festivities got out of hand.
A fan wearing a kilt lets off a blue flair while on somebody’s shoulders during the wild scenes of revelry in the English capital yesterday
A topless Scotland fan chants while crossing the road at Leicester Square in front of the Hippodrome Casino
The Tartan Army on the march, as Scottish fans mass in Leicester Square yesterday after the festivities of the previous night
There were plastic bags, bottles and cans all over the ground in Leicester Square after the fans descended for the party atmosphere
One fan admirably tries to sweep the rubbish while others walk on as supporters made their way to Wembley or to a TV screen for the match
William Shakespeare was given the Duke of Wellington treatment from Glasgow as a cone was placed on his head with fans dancing around the statue
Meanwhile, footage taken onboard planes flying into London showed rows of passengers singing Yes Sir I Can Boogie by Baccara – a song unofficially adopted as an anthem by Scotland fans.
Friday’s highly anticipated match marks the first clash between the two teams in four years.
Most fans arriving on Thursday admitted they did not have a ticket for the crunch Euro match at Wembley against England and said they would watch the game at a pub.
John McCormak, 35, said ‘ There was no chance of a ticket, but me and two mates decided to come anyway. It’s a great away day and will be made all the sweeter if we win’
Mr McCormak, from Glasgow, said he was staying in a budget hotel near Victoria Station.
‘It’s a rip off with the price, but the cheapest I could find, I’ve been down before and there’s a good sports bar nearby which will do me,’ he added.
His friend Andy Allen 37, said: ‘Playing England at Wembley is the one match any Scot fan wants to attend. It’s criminal that more tickets were not made available.’
Between noon and 6pm six trains from Glasgow arrived at Euston. Others – equally packed with fans – arrived at Kings Cross station.
Ticketless fans said they had booked a place at a pub showing the match as part of a package. Others said they planned to find a pub in central London that would house them rather than travel out to Wembley Stadium for the 8pm kick off.
Sandy Blake 26, said he planned to spend the night on a friend’s sofa and watch the match at a North London pub.
Wearing a kilt and a Scottish football jersey, he said the three day trip would cost him £400.
He said: ‘I’ve got a ticket to watch in a pub near my hotel. Costing me between £300 and £400. If we win, money well spent.’
After the five-and-a-half hour train journey from Glasgow, most fans headed straight to their accommodation. One group of six friends had accommodation booked at a Premier Inn close to Wembley.
Martin Yarrew, 25, said he had reserved a room as soon as the Euro draw was made and faced months of uncertainty about whether he would be able to travel due to Covid restrictions.
He said: ‘To be honest, I’m just glad to be here and excited to watch the match. Booking very early meant I got a cheap rate. Others on the train said they were paying over £150 a night.’
Pedestrians were unable to pass through the huge swathes of fans who had gathered for hours ahead of the game for a raucous atmosphere
Many have questioned why Nicola Sturgeon allowed the fans to travel south as she appealed for them to ‘stay safe’ on Friday and ‘be respectful to our hosts’
On Friday afternoon, officers admitted defeat in trying to move on the fans and said they would implement a ‘flexible policing plan… to reduce the likelihood of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour’
A group of fans gather for a photo in Leicester Square after authorities pleaded for supporters only with tickets to head to London
A number of fans tried to collect the vast amount of litter left in the square after hundreds vacated in the final hours before the game
One unfortunate fan was bundled over into the mud by a Leicester Square fountain where litter was also dumped by supporters
Nicola Sturgeon urged fans to ‘stay safe’ but there was no social distancing in sight with fans hugging each other and gathering in small spaces
Scottish Football supporters on the pints in Leicester Square yesterday – hours after the country’s supporters went wild
Scotland fans arriving at King’s Cross station show their support yesterday in London ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 match
There were cans of Thatchers and Strongbow dropped on the ground in London despite Nicola Sturgeon’s pleas to ‘respect’ their hosts
Scotland fans at Edinburgh Waverley railway station on their way to London yesterday ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 match
They’re still coming! This Scotland fan was on her way to London yesterday ahead of the big match in Wembley Stadium
Four patriotically dressed Scottish fans make their way through a wet Hyde Park yesterday morning ahead of the big game
Scotland fans at Edinburgh Waverley railway station yesterday as they prepare to travel to London ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020
Two men were badly hurt after a fight on the road just behind Leicester Square as Scottish fans partied (crime scene pictured). The Met says a 55-year-old male is fighting for his life, and police say inquiries are going including into whether it is football related.
The scene in a trashed Leicester Square yesterday morning after the Tartan Army partied and filled the fountains with foam
The Metropolitan Police have issued a dispersal order giving officers the power to remove troublemakers from central London
Another fan who arrived was Charlie Archibald, 30. He had a ticket for the match courtesy of his cousin Liam Cooper who is expected to play for Scotland.
Sporting a blue Scotland jersey with ‘Cooper’ on the back, he said: ‘I guess we are the lucky ones with a ticket. My cousin plays for Scotland so he was able to get us the tickets. Didn’t cost me anything. We’re really looking forward to the match.’
Charlie travelled down to London with friends Robbie Lapsley and David Snedden. They headed to their hotel Hyde Park after their train journey.
It is thought that Scotland will join England in taking a knee to protest racial inequality during Friday’s game.
Hundreds of Met Police officers are set to form a ring of steel at Wembley to prevent ticketless fans accessing the stadium on Friday night.
There will also be a significant police presence in tourist areas of such as Trafalgar Square, as well as at King’s Cross and Euston stations.
There are also concerns about Scotland fans infiltrating the home areas of the stadium as tickets are still changing hands on various resale websites.
The police will work with stewards to stop ticketless fans accessing Wembley Way, and travelling fans in the England sections risk being ejected from the stadium.
Scottish Football Supporters Association founder, Paul Goodwin, questioned why there was no fan zone provided for supporters without tickets in London, adding that Glasgow has one that can take 6,000 seated and socially distanced people.
He told The Times: ‘There will be plenty of tartan on display as we like coming down and showing off. The fact we have not been part of it [a major tournament] for such a long time is a factor.’
Sven Lister, part of the Roysth Tartan Army supporters club, said that not facilitating a way for fans to watch the match could bring about trouble.
‘I reckon there will be about 20,000 or so turning out. It just worries me that they’ve not done anything. There’s going to be groups wandering, possibly not getting to see the football, which would cause trouble,’ he told MyLondon.
Scenes of fans descending on the capital no-doubt evoked memories of previous Tartan army invasions in London, such as in 1979 (pictured)
Scotland beat England 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in 1977, prompting fans to invade the pitch and pull down goalposts (pictured)
Fans are seen celebrating their sides first goal in the match against England at Wembley in 1977
But Goodwin said that Scottish fans have won awards for their friendliness and good behaviour at the previous two tournaments.
The news comes following disappointment for Scotland fans after their country lost 2-0 in their first match in a major tournament in 23 years, which saw a Czech Republic player score an extraordinary goal from the halfway line.
The game was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow in front of a socially-distanced crowd of 12,000 fans.
The Met’s Deputy Assistant Comissioner, Jane Connors, told Sportsmail the force were preparing to deal with an invasion of ticketless fans for Scotland’s first game at Wembley since a World Cup qualifier five years ago in what will be only their second tournament meeting in 114 fixtures.
‘We anticipate a significant number of fans are expecting to travel to London,’ Connors said.
‘I would urge people: please, only come to London if you have a ticket for a match, or fanzone. There are no alternative sites for fans to gather in large numbers and there are limited spaces in pubs and bars and you could end up missing the game. London is still in lockdown and must observe current Government guidelines.’
Mr Goodwin added that said Steve Clarke side’s defeat by the Czech Republic may have deterred fans from travelling and complained about the lack of a fanzone for the visitors in London.
‘There’s less likely to be a mass invasion as people are feeling deflated after the Czech result, but there will be a few thousand without tickets, that’s for sure,’ Goodwin said.
‘In addition to those travelling, as someone who lived in London for 16 years I know how big the Scottish community is down there.
‘The official allocation is 3,000 so it could be double that or even more. A Scottish fanzone would have helped keep people away from Wembley. Maybe that decision was taken to stop people from travelling.’
Following Friday’s crunch match, Scotland will return to Hampden Park in Glasgow for the final group game against Croatia on 22 June.
About 12,000 people descended on Hampden to watch their match against the Czech Republic on Monday.