ENGLAND fans lit up Wembley with a classy tribute to the Queen.
And they roared out the new national anthem for the first time at home on an emotional night under the arch.
England paid tribute to the Queen with a perfect minute’s silence
Fans lit up their phone torches as the lights dimmed at Wembley
Sir Geoff Hurst laid a wreath at the side of the pitch
Wembley stands in unity with a moments silence for the passing of the Queen.#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/xpTsYbxx3S
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 26, 2022
The Three Lions play at home tonight for the first time since Her Majesty passed away on September 8.
And they marked her sad death with a touching reflection ahead of kick-off against Germany – their final match before the World Cup.
World Cup-winning hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst as well as English and German FA chiefs laid wreaths at the side of the pitch.
There was then a rousing rendition of God Save The King, the first time the national football team have sung the new lyrics – although the Test cricketers were the first sport team to do so.
A minute’s silence was then impeccably observed by the home and away fans alike inside the 90,000-seater stadium.
During the pause under the darkened night sky, the lights were dimmed inside the ground.
And then supporters in the stands – who could get a programme with Queen Elizabeth II handing the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore in 1966 – used their phone torches to create a stunning spectacle while the big screens displayed a photo of the monarch.
Viewers watching on at home were also in awe.
One said: “Well done all at Wembley, England and German fans – that’s how you do a minute’s silence in respect.”
Another wrote: “Best minute’s silence I’ve seen in England for a long time – a beautiful spectacle to pay respects to the Queen. Not a single noise made.”
And a third user commented: “Lovely to see all of the supporters at Wembley tonight observing the silence for our late HM Queen Elizabeth.
“The rivalries may run deep but, this evening, respect ran even deeper.”
However, there were reports of a smattering of boos during the Germany national anthem.
Gareth Southgate and his coaching team sang God Save The King
The programme featured the Queen and Bobby Moore in 1966
