Novak Djokovic’s match against Alexei Popyrin was interrupted as fans celebrated England’s penalty shoot-out victory against Switzerland.
The Three Lions booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after being sent to a shoot-out, following a 1-1 stalemate after 120 minutes of football in Dusseldorf.
And, while the England players took to the penalty spot in Germany, fans who were at Wimbledon were clearly tuning in as they erupted into celebration on Saturday.
Footage on X showed Popyrin about to serve and Djokovic poised for a return before both players broke their focus as cheers and applause began ringing out on Centre Court.
The world No 2 evidently saw the funny side as he exchanged a smirk with his opponent before mimicking a football kick in-front of the crowd in SW19.
Fans at Wimbledon interrupted Novak Djokovic’s match as they celebrated England’s shoot-out win against Switzerland at Euro 2024
Djokovic saw the funny side as he mimicked a football kick as fans applauded on Centre Court
The Three Lions booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals with their shoot-out victory
Neither Djokovic and Popyrin looked too concerned with the crowd’s interest in the England game, as they quickly resumed their own match shortly after.
Speaking in his on-court interview after beating Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6, Djokovic said: ‘It felt for the first set and a half the crowd really wanted to understand what the score was!’
Djokovic then asked in England won and the crowd cheered before he added: ‘That’s why you guys stayed.
‘Congrats to England. I tried to shoot a penalty, I’m left-footed but Alexei defended it well.’
And Wimbledon wasn’t the only sporting venue to be infiltrated by England celebrations, as India and Pakistan’s World Championship of Legends game was similarly interrupted.
At Edgbaston, fans were seen packed into the concourses and watching the dramatic shoot-out victory, instead of the cricket.
As Trent Alexander-Arnold converted England’s final spot-kick, the fans inside the stadium were sent into pandemonium as they celebrated the victory.
England converted all five of their penalties in the shoot-out – with Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Jude Bellingham all converted as well as Alexander-Arnold.
It was a particularly big moment for Saka after his miss in the Euros final three years ago, but he confidently stepped up this time to slot home.
Saka was also England’s standout player during the regular game and scored England’s equaliser after Breel Embolo had put Switzerland ahead.
Fans at Edgbaston opted to watch the dramatic penalty shoot-out instead of the cricket
England’s stars celebrated with supporters after triumphing over Switzerland on penalties
Bellingham showed glimpses of his quality, but endured a frustrating evening at times and was brutally mocked by a Switzerland fan following a tussle with Fabian Schar in the first half.
Bellingham went to ground and Schar was booked for his tackle, but one Switzerland supporter thought it was soft and was seen mimicking Bellingham crying.
It was Bellingham who had the final laugh, though, at the end of a week where he escaped a ban following a UEFA investigation into his controversial goal celebration last weekend.
