With so many watching the match, England came to a halt with roads, high streets and train stations empty during the quarter-final, which aired on BBC1.
Before the game, UK authorities said they expected 'the quietest Saturday afternoon of the year, with deserted roads.'
Shopping centres such as London's Oxford Street - one of the world's most famous shopping destinations - are also expected to be quieter than they typically would be on a Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere, shops and streets were deserted as everyone headed to the nearest screen to catch the game.
![Fans clear out of shopping centres and head to the pub to watch England play Sweden in the quarter-final of the World cup. Photo/Daily Mail.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JDDLNBDE5XUFIFNVFMKNGHYXEY.jpg?auth=7eac19d452d7d9399d8bbd35463e64077092eabd0d64bbff5510e40e510ff51c&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)