England fans celebrate their first Euro 2020 goal at Vinegar Yard
(Picture: PA)England goal hero Raheem Sterling was hailed as an inspiration for London children on Monday after players joined in the fun with fans celebrating the team’s historic Euro 2020 win against Croatia.
The 1-0 win was the first time the Three Lions had won their opening game in a Euro tournament, with Sterling — who grew up in the shadow of Wembley Stadium — scoring the crucial goal.
Gareth’s Southgate’s team now have their next opponents in their sights, “auld enemy” Scotland, who they play on Friday knowing a win will take them through to the knock-out stages. But before then, midfielder Jack Grealish revealed himself as joker of the pack by posting pictures of his teammates in the aftermath of the Croatia win.
He posted a picture of left-back Ben Chilwell, fast asleep on coach returning to their team hotel, with caption: “Could sleep on a washing line this guy.”
He also shared a snap of Arsenal’s 19-year-old Bukayo Saka with a computer-generated long nose on his face.
Before Sunday’s match in a 30C heatwave, Sterling posted a picture of himself as a boy clutching a trophy with the words: “Never forget where it started. #boyfromBrent.”
On Monday, the PE teacher who helped put the 26-year-old on the road to stardom said the star’s homecoming made him proud and predicted he would score against Scotland too.
Paul Lawrence, 61, coached the Manchester City forward at Copland Community School, Wembley. Still ecstatic this morning, Mr Lawrence told the Standard: “Raheem’s come home — it was great. It really brought back memories of the magic I saw in him at school.
He is destined to go all the way in the tournament. Having Raheem return to the area where he grew up was fantastic. It’s almost as if Wembley’s his ground, rather than the Etihad.
“What Raheem has done will inspire younger players in Brent. Knowing one of their own has gone on to the biggest stage in the world, will give them belief they can do it too.”
Several years ago, Sterling was driving past the school when he spotted his former teacher outside and pulled over for a chat and a selfie.
Mr Lawrence says Sterling, awarded an MBE at the weekend for services to racial equality in sport, returned to the school — now called Ark Elvin Academy — earlier this year to speak to youngsters and hand out sportswear.
On Sunday night Sterling, who played in front of a 22,500-strong crowd at Wembley reduced due to Covid restrictions, said: “It’s a great feeling for me playing at Wembley, not far from where I grew up as a young boy and seeing the stadium being built.
“I’ve always said, if I played at Wembley in a major tournament I’m scoring at Wembley, in my back garden. I said I have to score — and it’s great to finally do that.”
Meanwhile Jesse Lingard cheered on England from a pub garden.
The midfielder did not make Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad despite a stunning end to the season on loan at West Ham, helping the side to a place in next year’s Europa League.
But he was all smiles as he enjoyed a day out with friends in glorious sunshine yesterday afternoon. Lingard, 28, donned an England shirt with Declan Rice’s name and number on the back.
