THE atmosphere in Liverpool reached fever pitch as England squeezed their way to through to the next stage of the World Cup.

Schools closed early and businesses across the city shut up shop for the most nail-biting 90 minutes of football the country has experienced in years.

Revellers dressed in red and white packed out the city’s bars, and the streets fell quiet as England battled their way to a 1-0 victory over Slovenia.

The win saw them finish second in their group behind the USA, who beat Algeria in the dying seconds of their game.

The tournament has seen business boom for bars across the city and even salons, including Nicola Harris Beauty, in Mather Avenue, have reported an increase in bookings as World Cup widows desperately try to avoid the matches.

Suzanne Watkins, marketing manager at PanAm Bar and Blue Bar, at Albert Dock, said: “We have been showing all the games and have been particularly busy for England.

“Yesterday people were a little bit quiet when the match started because I do not think they knew what to expect, but they gradually got more noisy, and when it finally finished there was a big roar.”

Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher was forced to miss yesterday’s match after clocking up two yellow cards in the qualifying matches, but his city centre bar Cafe Sports England was packed with supporters.

Manager Leanne Lackey said: “It was excellent – we were really busy and the atmosphere was electric.

“The restaurant was full and everyone still had their work clothes on.”

Some workers had been worried about whether they would get to watch England’s mid-afternoon clash, but many bosses across Merseyside either let their staff finish early, or had a TV brought in so that they would not miss out.