Exhausted, stressed, elated - England fans respond to night of high drama

England football supporters were put through a spectrum of emotion 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 was replicated at fan zones across England, as substitute Eric Dier's decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out sent the Three Lions through - and fans into raptures.

England and Colombia fans on the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south London
England and Colombia fans on the Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south London

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.

Despondent England fans
Despondent England fans

Joe O'Neill, 27, of Hastings, who was cheering on his home nation - winners of the 1966 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 watching the World Cup in Brighton
Fans watching the World Cup in Brighton

Fans wearing replica shirts chanted "football's coming home", the refrain which has long been adopted as an unofficial national anthem for the England football team, 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.

England fans were less outnumbered in Times Square, Newcastle, where the 2,000-odd 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 for Colombia, as England partied.

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