Lookalike contests to Etsy witch spells: How England supporters are gearing up for tonight’s semi-final with Argentina

With just hours to go until England's World Cup semi-final clash, fans across the country are pulling out all the stops in the hope of seeing the Three Lions emerge victorious. St George's flags are flying from homes and in streets, and hundreds of thousands supporters are heading to pack pubs and bars to watch the game. The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated a 75 per cent surge in sales with pubs expected to pour an extra six million pints on Wednesday. Ahead of the game, dozens gathered for a Jude Bellingham look-alike contest at BOXPARK in Shoreditch, where the winner secured £1,966 in Deliveroo credit in a nod to England’s last win in the World Cup. Meanwhile, others have announced on social media that they are supporting Thomas Tuchel’s team by buying “spells” from self-proclaimed witches on Etsy in the hopes that it will guarantee England the win. Tuchel said his side were ready to face an Argentina team “fuelled by history” as they bid to reach a first men’s World Cup final in 60 years. England flags are displayed outside No.10 Downing Street ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final match against Argentina (Getty) Major screenings of the match will take place at venues across the country. Leeds City Council is hosting fans in Millennium Square on a high-definition giant LED screen with concert-style sound. A “massive indoor screen” will show the game in London’s Alexandra Palace, where fans are promised “football anthems, singalongs and pre-match classics before kick-off”. Silverworks Island is keeping its main stage open to fans after FISHER's weekend concert and Manchester’s outdoor events pavilion, Castlefield Bowl, will also show the game, with a “full festival-style build-up before kick-off”. Football fans can also watch the match at several cinemas, including Vue and Picturehouse Cinemas. Major screenings for tonight’s clash will be taking place across the country (Reuters) British Airways has promised to keep its crew updated on scores so they can inform flyers unable to watch the game. If England win, London City Hall is set to organise a screening for the final, with the O2 earmarked as the likely venue. Tonight’s game kicks off at 8pm (BST) in Atlanta and police have ramped up security across the city in anticipation of the “highest risk” game. The winner will go up against Spain on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Sir Keir Starmer faced pleas at his final Prime Minister’s Questions to end his premiership with a World Cup win. He said he had “an important appointment with the television” and wished England luck in the last days of the tournament. The prime minister is expected to declare a Bank Holiday if England win the final, and the announcement would likely follow a victory tonight.