Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SETBACK Harry Kane, who didn’t play, applauds the fans. Left, beaten England
The result means the Three Lions finish runners-up in Group G.
But as thousands of fans streamed out of the stadium in Kaliningrad, many were more convinced than ever their heroes can go all the way.
Edward David, 68, who saw
England win the Cup in 1966, said: “We’ve definitely got a chance of lifting the trophy in
Moscow. We may have lost but it may actually suit us in the long run. Finishing second is not necessarily a bad thing.”
England will now face Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday, meaning less travelling for the team and supporters.
The Three Lions have also never lost to the South Americans, winning three and drawing two of their encounters.
If Gareth Southgate’s men can win, the route to the final would be much easier as they would avoid big guns like Brazil.
It would mean a potential quarterfinal against Sweden or Switzerland.
Before last night’s match the WAGS were enjoying the atmosphere at the stadium, including Nicky Pike, Annabel Peyton and Megan Davison – the partners of Ashley Young, Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford. Jamie Vardy’s wife Rebekah was also pictured enjoying a beer in the 32C sunshine. The squad flew back to their HQ in Repino straight after the match.
Both teams had played weakened sides and ex-man United star Adnan Januzaj settled the game and won the group for Belgium with a second-half goal.
But with their team already through, the 4,000 England fans in a crowd of