A major supermarket is set to close thousands of stores early across the UK for the Euro 2024 final as England take on Spain.
The UK's biggest grocer Tesco has announced more than 1,800 stores will close at 7.30pm instead of the usual 10pm or 11pm, to allow employees to watch the game.
The grocer said it would close its Express stores early on Sunday, following the Three Lions win in their semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
READ MORE: How fans in Norfolk celebrated England semi-final win
The move would allow thousands of colleagues to get home in time for kick-off, while still receiving their normal pay for those hours.
Another supermarket has made a similar move, with Lidl stores opening an hour later this Monday, the morning after the final, for workers to enjoy post-match celebrations.
However, Tesco stores have said they will reopen as normal the following morning, with the majority from 6am or 7am.
England will face Spain in Berlin at 8pm on Sunday for a chance to become the first England men’s team to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.
Tesco reassured customers that stores would still be open as normal during the daytime on Sunday, so they could stock up on any essential pre-match supplies.
All online orders already placed for Sunday evening will be honoured and delivered as normal.
READ MORE: Can you spot yourself in these Euros crowd shots from the last 24 years?
Tesco’s managing director of UK stores, Kevin Tindall, said: “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.
“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.”
The match was set for the go-ahead thanks to a last-minute goal by substitute Ollie Watkins that secured their victory over the Netherlands.
Send your Euro 2024 final message to England and roar the Three Lions to glory
You can now show your support for the Three Lions ahead of Sunday’s huge final against Spain by leaving a message.
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