HOPE & GLORY..

Three Lions fans celebrate with Belgians before tonight’s game – after VAR sprung exit of holders

THE England WAGS are taking it a lot easier than their partners on their trip to Russia.

Led by striker Jamie Vardy’s wife Rebekah, about a mile apart but the contrast could not be starker.

The Mercure is the complete opposite of England’s hotel with a stunning outside terrace overlooking the water.

FIFA allocates each nation a hotel depending whether they have been drawn as the “home” or “away” team in that particular game.

England fan Ray Connolly, 53, is staying in an Airbnb near the Mercure.

“England have drawn the short straw this time,” he said.

“The Belgian hotel is so much quieter. “I can’t believe the Radisson was even some were out until 4am after dining at a Japanese beach restaurant in St Petersburg.

They puffed on shisha pipes, and posted chosen as one of the official hotels because of its location. I saw couple of Spain fans being poured out of the strip club at 5am this morning.

“They were good natured but it was so loud and under the hotel rooms.”

Tonight’s game will be the first time in the tournament that England fans will not be outnumbered at a match.

In Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod there were significantly more Tunisia and Panama fans.

Darren Quick, 48, and son Harry, 17, from Styal, Cheshire flew by Wizzair to Gdansk in Poland and then took the snaps online. Jack Butland’s fiancee Annabel Peyton and Harry Maguire’s girlfriend, Fern Hawkins, were also out. £270 taxi. Harry said: “It’s been a great experience. Coming by taxi all the way from Gdansk to the World Cup is something I will never forget.

“And now the Germans have lost we’ve got a chance.

“What a day.”

Wayne Dux, 41, also from Styal flew in from Nizhny Novgorod via Moscow.

“It’s been fantastic so far. Very welcoming,” he said.

“I definitely think we can get to the quarter finals.

“Everyone was so happy when Germany got knocked out. There’s such