After finishing in fourth place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and following that up with victories over Spain and Croatia in the inaugural UEFA Nations League, support for England is at a fever pitch.
There’s a profound sense of optimism surrounding Gareth Southgate’s side, and the nation is relishing an exciting crop of players that features Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford.
So it’s no surprise that the footballing-mad country is reportedly descending on Portugal for the Nations League Finals, beginning with Thursday’s match against the Netherlands in Guimarães. According to reports, although England was allocated just 10,000 tickets, around 20,000 Three Lions fans are expected in Portugal.
Many will be in attendance Thursday at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, but those without tickets have been told to stay in Porto, which is about 34 miles southwest of Guimarães.
England supporters have a history of clashing with local police while on their travels. At Euro 2016, both Marseille and Lille were the sites of brawls and riots, although Russian hooligans and heavy-handed police tactics were also at fault.
Of the 20,000 in Portugal, the vast majority will be there as pleasant tourists, drinking Super Bock and Sagres and turning that strange sort of splotchy red that happens when an Englishman confronts the sun.
But there will be a few idiots, and that’s who the FA targeted with its recent “Don’t Be That Idiot” campaign. I like it, particularly how despondently misanthropic the video’s main character becomes by the end of the sequence.
You're part of our team. Make the country proud.pic.twitter.com/PSCYrGvkP6
— England (@England) May 30, 2019
Well, the campaign hasn’t exactly worked.
Kicking off at Fan Zone after England fans throw bottles at police and police respond by charging at England fans ... police cheered on by locals pic.twitter.com/yTGnqAiB3d
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) June 5, 2019
Just landed in Porto for the UEFA Nations League... England fans clashing with riot police already pic.twitter.com/854etF4AKH
— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) June 5, 2019
Another standoff between England fans and the Portuguese PSP force in the fanzone in central Porto. Police have shields out & bottles being thrown at them pic.twitter.com/a5V7n3wnXM
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) June 5, 2019
Supporters have also been singing “Ten German Bombers,” which is never a good look, especially so on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
England fans in Porto this afternoon (@EnglidsAway) pic.twitter.com/wJrJH4TLBx
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) June 5, 2019
And there are instances of Portuguese police officers taking things to the extreme. Here’s one officer using pepper spray rather liberally.
The media only tell one side of the story.. Portuguese Police peeper spraying people for no reason. pic.twitter.com/ctHMuvqG4C
— England Football Fans (@EnglidsAway) June 5, 2019
On the footballing side of things, Thursday’s match should be excellent, and the winner will play Portugal at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto after Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat trick led his nation past Switzerland in the other semi, 3-1.
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