Fans in ecstasy as Pickford’s

time in the tournament England fans outnumbered the opposition inside the stadium with a crowd numbering less than 40,000. An estimated 5,000 England supporters easily out-sang their 1,000 Swedish counterparts. Flags from up and down the country were flying including one poignant one from Ipswich Town supporters. It paid tribute to Sir Alf and Sir Bobby – Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson – England’s greatest World Cup managers. Now Gareth Southgate will join the special “club” as one of only three England bosses to take their nation to the semi-finals of a World Cup after Italia 90 and the historic 1966 World Cup in England when the team last lifted the trophy.

Fantastic

Jamie Vardy’s wife Rebekah, who arrived in Samara with her four children by private jet from St Petersburg, led a team of Wags who flew in for the biggest game of their partners’ careers.

Earlier in the day Rebekah posted a picture of a glass of wine with the caption: “Needed.”

She and with the rest of the team’s Wags celebrated with the star players after the game. Inside the Cosmos arena in Samara, ecstatic fans were letting the result sink in.

Steve Cowans, 61, who made the 2,500-mile journey from Solihull, West Midlands, said: “What a fantastic performance. That was absolutely amazing. I didn’t think anything could beat the Colombia match but this did.

“There will be some vodka drank in