Sports fans across Europe were treated to a rare celestial spectacle on Wednesday evening as a solar eclipse unfolded. Millions turned their gaze skyward for the best solar eclipse since 1999, with many bringing special protective glasses to stadiums.
In the UK, over 90% of the sun was obscured by the moon, marking the most significant blockage in UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999. Iceland and northern Spain experienced Western Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years.
The eclipse provided a stunning backdrop to the European Super Cup in Salzburg, Austria, before the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Fans at Croke Park in Dublin watched the eclipse before a pre-season friendly between Manchester United and Leeds United, with some stewards even bringing welding masks for safe viewing.
Similar scenes unfolded at the Emirates Stadium in north London before Arsenal's friendly against Como. In Birmingham, spectators at the European Championships and cricket fans at Edgbaston also enjoyed the partial solar eclipse, though clouds obscured its peak at Alexander Stadium.