England fans revel as pubs stay open late for World Cup game against Mexico

'Please try and get kids into school,' says education secretary

After England's victory against DR Congo, England manager Thomas Tuchcel urged parents to let their children stay up to watch today's match.

"Write an excuse for school and let them watch," he said on Wednesday. "There's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch."

Asked about his comments earlier this week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told BBC Newsnight she would not "make requests on parents around bedtime," saying they were in the best position to decide.

But she did issue a plea to "try and get out kids in" to school this morning.

Teens celebrate with no school today

One of our BBC colleagues watched the game at Station House in Acton and described the atmosphere as fantastic despite the one-hour delay.

Electra, 13, is taking the day off school today - she's glad to be here, and says it was really tense watching. She even predicted the score would be 3-2 to England!

She was rooting for Saka on the pitch.

Otto, 13, found the game nerve wracking.

The two Bellingham goals were "quite amazing," he says. 3-2 to England, he says - with Saka to score!

Otto is also having the day off school.

Pubs can stay open until 05:00 after government relaxes licensing laws

Pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 05:00 BST this morning, allowing football fans to enjoy the result against Mexico.

The government had initially said it would not relax licensing laws further than they already have been for the World Cup.

But in a U-turn later on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said pubs could stay open until the final whistle.

"Football might be coming home but we're making sure fans don't have to," he said on Thursday afternoon.

Publicans and businesses welcomed the change. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "We all know the best place to watch the match is down the local."

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said it was "fantastic news" that would be "hugely welcomed by operators".

A sleepless night, a sleepless day?

Jamie Morris

BBC News

Michaela and her dad Noddy were locked in through the night for this morning's knockout game.

For them, like many others, it meant a sleepless night – and a short window until the start of the work day.

Despite the change to kick off - at Blue Collar Corner in Reading they said they were "in it for the long haul".

When asked about what the rest of her day looks like, Michaela replies: "Long."

"8am start but determined to get in at 8 and finish at 4. Do we sleep?"

How are you coping with the later kick-off? Get in touch

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English pubs packed as Mexico World Cup match underway

It's been a late one for football fans and pub workers across the country as England kicked off against Mexico at 02:00 BST after a delayed start.

There will be celebrations long into the morning now we know England will progress to Saturday's quarter final against Norway after beating Mexico 3-2.

Pubs across the country remained open all night after the government U-turn on licensing laws permitted them to stay open until 05:00.

Stick with us and we'll have updates and reaction throughout the morning - as well as a few tips on how to get through the workday.

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