Prince William demonstrated his unwavering support for England's national football team by sending a congratulatory message at 4.15am after the Three Lions defeated Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16. The match, which kicked off at 2am UK time due to a weather delay, saw Thomas Tuchel's squad advance to the quarter-finals.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
England took an early lead with a rapid double from Jude Bellingham, but Mexico pulled one back before half-time. Early in the second half, England defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card, reducing the visitors to ten men. Harry Kane then scored a penalty to extend England's lead, but Mexico converted their own spot kick to set up a tense finish. England held on to secure a memorable victory.
According to reports, bars and pubs across the UK were packed with fans after opening hours were extended until 5am to accommodate the late kick-off.
Prince William's Role as FA Patron
The Prince of Wales, who serves as the Football Association's patron, posted on social media: "Well done England! Bring on the quarter final!" The message was shared via the official Kensington Royal account at 4.15am, moments after the final whistle.
William has previously shown his passion for football by traveling to Istanbul to watch his beloved Aston Villa win the Europa League in May. He has not attended a World Cup since 2010 but has hinted he might change that if England reaches the final.
Quarter-Final Clash with Norway
England's victory sets up a quarter-final match against Norway on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm UK time. Norway advanced after a stunning 2-1 win over Brazil.
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast, William expressed cautious optimism about England's chances. "I always felt like we had a really good chance," he said. "But as each World Cup goes on and the results don't quite go your way... A little bit of hope gets chipped away each time. I'm taking it calmly and quietly and like, come on, we're going to do well and see how we go. But I am quietly confident, I think."
Royal Family's Football Divide
William's enthusiasm for football is not shared by his father, King Charles. When asked if the King influenced his decision to support Aston Villa, William told the podcast: "Absolutely not. My father hates football. My family haven't got a particularly long history with football. There are a few of us who support teams. My football love came from friends taking me to my first match and at school growing up."
