From delight to despair... and back
Supporters of England’s football team put through the wringer at home and in Russia during tense win
ENGLAND FOOTBALL supporters’ nerves were tested to the limit as they roared their team to the narrowest of World Cup last-16 victories from more than 1,500 miles away.
The passion on the pitch in the Russian capital Moscow was replicated around England as substitute Eric Dier’s decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout sent the Three Lions through.
Earlier, skipper Harry Kane’s second-half penalty against a dogged Colombia side saw the team come within seconds of setting up a quarter-final tie with Sweden on Saturday afternoon.
But a stoppage-time equaliser from Colombia’s Yerry Mina put paid to England’s hopes for a steady passage to the next round, and the mood back home became much more subdued.
Joe O’Neill, 27, of Hastings, who was cheering on his home nation – winners of the 1966
I felt exhausted, stressed, elated. It was unbelievable. England fan Joe O’Neill was among supporters who endured the nail-biting knockout match.
World Cup – from a huge screen on Brighton beach, said: “I thought it was all over just before Colombia scored.
“I was so upset, I felt quite deflated.
“When the screen cut out I thought this was a classic English thing to happen.
“But then when we won the penalties that was the best moment in the history of English football.
“I felt exhausted, stressed, elated. It was unbelievable.”
He was one of more than 2,200 people to have piled onto Brighton beach to watch the match on the Luna Beach Cinema big screen.
Fans wearing replica shirts chanted “football’s coming home” at various points during the match, most notably after Spurs striker Kane’s opener and Dier’s cool decider.
There were cheers and celebrations from a small number of Three Lions fans inside Lost Rivers in Elephant and Castle in south London where, just like in Moscow’s Spartak Stadium, the majority of those watching were supporting Colombia.
In Leeds, Millennium Square was packed with England fans who erupted into celebrations as victory was secured. England fans were also out in force in Times Square, Newcastle, where the 2,000odd crowd was overwhelmingly and unapologetically partisan. Beer sprayed high into the blue Tyneside sky as Kane scored England’s spot-kick. Fans hugged and danced when the penalty was given and the fans’ zone erupted when it was tucked away. But joy turned to anxiety and gave way to despair as Colombia equalised in injury time.
Fans fell to the floor on Brighton beach, and there were similar scenes in Newcastle.
Elsewhere, the masses of Colombia fans in Elephant and Castle’s Lost Rivers screamed as they drew level.
Beer was sent cascading over those watching, and fans stood on pool tables and stools to share their delight. Among the crowd, a baby wearing a miniature Colombia shirt was held up next to a replica World Cup trophy.
But it was not to be, as England partied into the night.