Atlanta erupted in a deafening roar as Harry Kane stood in the goalmouth, arm raised, leading 30,000 England fans in a chorus of Wonderwall. It was a dramatic turnaround from just an hour earlier, when the same fans had unleashed what one reporter called the loudest booing he had ever heard at an England match.
England had fallen behind to DR Congo in their World Cup round of 32 clash, and the mood soured further when the first hydration break arrived in the 22nd minute. The boos rained down, louder than after the Iceland defeat in Euro 2016 or a 0-0 draw with Wales in 1981.
“Harry Kane's brace turns boos to cheers as England beat DR Congo 2-1 in Atlanta.”
But Kane, England's inspirational captain, dragged his team back. He scored a brace to complete a 2-1 comeback, his second goal a brilliant winner that the BBC showed from every angle. The relief was palpable. 'I think the fans were singing as much out of sense of relief,' said Mirror journalist Andy Lines.
England boss Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the rollercoaster. 'We would have liked it to be less stressful,' he told the BBC. 'But if everyone gets what he likes, then everyone gets an early goal, and another goal, and an easy afternoon. That's not how it is. You have to deal with the situations as they come.'
The stadium itself, located downtown Atlanta, offered a surreal escape from the oppressive heat. Escalators carried fans to their seats, Japanese sushi was on the menu, the press room gave out free popcorn, and there was even a designated prayer area. 'Of all the stadiums I've been to I think this was my favourite,' Lines said.
After the final whistle, the stadium DJ played classics: Sweet Caroline, Hey Jude, Don't Look Back in Anger. The players joined in the goalmouth karaoke. Then, as fans streamed out, many were already on their phones booking flights and hotels for Mexico City, where England will now face a daunting last-16 showdown with Mexico.
The victory also moved Kane one goal behind Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot, the England captain in hot pursuit of the France superstar. For now, though, the boos had turned to booze, and the travelling army partied long into the Atlanta night.