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England stars celebrate six-cess with loved ones
ENGLAND’S young lions stormed into the World Cup knock-out stages with a recordbreaking performance – then dashed straight into the arms of their loved ones.
Amid extraordinary scenes in Nizhny Novgorod, Gareth Southgate’s aces hammered Panama 6-1.
Captain Harry Kane led the way with a dramatic hat-trick – the first time an England player has scored three in a World Cup game since Gary Lineker in 1986.
And in the searing heat, the players became the first England team to score more than four goals in a World Cup game.
John Stones, 24, scored twice and was eager to share the moment with his partner Millie Savage and their daughter.
Jamie Vardy, 31, who made his debut as a sub for hat-trick hero Kane, 24, saw his wife Rebekah for a hug and kiss, amid scenes of jubilation on the England team bench. Ashley Young, 32, puckered up for his daughter Ellearana and keeper Jordan Pickford, 24, kissed girlfriend Megan Davison in the stands.
Defender Harry Maguire, 25, smooched girlfriend Fern Hawkins and was congratulated by his parents Zoe and Alan, footballing brothers Laurence and Joe, and sister Daisy.
Young’s wife Nicky, Kyle Walker’s partner Annie Kilner and Jack Butland’s fiancee Annabel Peyton all leapt from their seats as the first goal went in from Stones. Boss Southgate has fostered a family spirit among the team and an FA source said: “The team spirit is a big thing for Gareth and he will make sure they get to see their families.”
Three Lions fans inside the stadium went crazy as England scored five in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Bookies quickly slashed the odds on England winning the tournament to 9/1. Kane now has five goals and is 11/8 with Ladbrokes to be the tournament’s top scorer. He was substituted in the 63rd minute. Hero of 1966 Sir Geoff Hurst tweeted: “Great way to get a well earned rest! Scores three and gets the rest of the day off ! First time in a long time we’ve seen a hat-trick from England player in the World Cup, absolutely delighted for Harry and the team.”
Jesse Lingard, 25, netted a stunner in front of the 43,000 crowd. And despite being outnumbered, the England fans out-sang their rivals, gleefully chanting “Are you Scotland in disguise?”
But, at half-time, the good-natured Panama fans were singing, “We’re going to win 6-5”. And the entire stadium exploded when they got their
At previous World Cups, we were the saddest lions. Now we’re invincible
JOHN CARPMAIL DELIGHTED ENGLAND FAN IN RUSSIA
consolation goal in the second half – their first ever goal in the World Cup finals.
Kane’s partner Katie Goodland, 25, had posted a message on her Instagram page, “Let’s go England” before the match.
But in her wildest dreams even she could not have imagined that her husband would score a hat-trick.
England’s small band of fans were in football heaven in temperatures of more than 32C (90F). David Cowell, 36, John Carpmail, 35, and Ben Liversage, 41, went to the match in furry lion costumes, complete with Union flag boxer shorts.
Restaurant worker Ben, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, said the trio had been to the South Africa and Brazil World Cups and it was the first time they had seen England win.
He said: “I was hit by a Russian hooligan in Marseille at the Euros. But I was determined that was not going to put me off.
“England were brilliant and it was a very proud day.”
BA cabin steward John added: “We were sweating so much during the game that it felt like being caught in the rain. At the previous World Cups, we were the saddest lions in the world. Now we feel invincible.”
Product manager Abbie Kane, 38, from London, at her first ever football match, was flying back to her job in Austin, Texas, last night and said: “I am never going to beat this. I have a 30-hour flight home now – but it was worth it.”
Ed Forster, 27, of Newcastle, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic. I was not around in 1966, so I have never seen them play like that in my lifetime.”
England’s heros were on a plane back to base just hours after the historic victory.
Kane posted a pic of the squad en route to their training camp in Repino. The striker is shown surrounded by team-mates on the plane holding his hat-trick ball, which had been signed by the players. Sharing the snap on Instagram, he wrote: “Love this team. Proud of a first World Cup hat-trick. We keep going. #WorldCup #ThreeLions.” He earlier posted: “Professional. Clinical. Bring on Belgium and the knockout rounds!”
England next take on Belgium in Kaliningrad on Thursday, with the team heading Group G and needing just a draw to go through in top spot.