Tesco are closing stores early to let their staff watch England in the Euro finals

The whole country is getting behind Gareth Southgate's team.

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions secured their place in the final round of the competition thanks to a late strike from super substitute Ollie Watkins.

In an effort to show support for the national team, the UK’s biggest grocer has told staff that they can finish at the earlier time of 7:30pm instead of the usual 10pm or 11pm so they can get home, or to the pub, in time to cheer on the boys in white.

According to the Retail Gazette, the lucky employees will still receive their normal pay for those hours. The retailer’s larger stores will already be closed before the 8pm kick-off time.

Customers can rest assured that stores will operate as normal during the daytime on Sunday, so you'll have plenty of time to stock up on game-time drinks and snacks ahead of kick off.

All online orders already placed for Sunday evening will be honoured and delivered as usual.

Of course, it should go without saying that stores in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will maintain their regular operating hours.

Tesco’s managing director of UK stores, Kevin Tindall, said: “We will be cheering on the Three Lions tonight against the Netherlands and hope they reach a second successive Euros final.

“We appreciate just how much this would mean to so many of our colleagues, and we want them to be able to celebrate with their family and friends.

“So, if we make it through to the final, we will close our stores across England in time for them to get behind Gareth Southgate and the team, and we’ll all be hoping that football will be coming home.”

Tesco aren't the only major supermarket to curb their operations for a sporting event.

In 2022, Iceland closed early to allow employees to watch the Lionesses in the Euro 2022 final. The England women went on to win their first European Championships by beating Germany 2-1 after extra time.

Lets hope we're treated to a similar result on Sunday.

England will face Spain in Berlin at 8pm for a chance to become the first England men’s team to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.