NFL at Wembley - in pictures

Wembley is playing host to the NFL tonight and two struggling sides seeking inspiration this side of the pond. The Denver Broncos have lost five times already this season, while the San Francisco 49ers have lost six. Yet these two teams have enjoyed illustrious pasts, sharing seven Superbowl victories between them Photograph: Tom Jenkins

At least 85,000 fans will be here tonight to watch the match and the majority have been given 49er flags to make it feel like a home game for San Francisco Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A 49ers fan shows off a tattoo of a scorpion severing an Oakland Raiders badge in two (the Raiders are the 49ers' local rivals) Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The pre-match entertainment features a set from My Chemical Romance Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... before Jeff Beck plays God Save the Queen Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Finally, the players take to the field amid a plume of smoke Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The 49ers running back, Brian Westbrook, takes a few moments to pray before kick-off Photograph: Tom Jenkins

J.D. Walton of the Broncos prepares to snap the ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins

49er Ted Ginn, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, returns a punt Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Quarterback Troy Smith shields the ball before making a pass Photograph: Tom Jenkins

49ers head coach Mike Singletary shouts at an official after a penalty incident robbed his team of a decent field position Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Tight-end Vernon Davis catches a pass but gets tackled by Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman. The 49ers lead 3-0 after the first quarter - Joe Nedney's 34-yard field providing the only points - but a stale second quarter brings no change to the scoreboard Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The 49ers' cheerleaders, known as The Gold Rush, have come dressed for the occasion Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The Broncos begin to assert themselves in the third quarter. Here, Kyle Orton prepares to make a pass. The Denver quarterback was the creator a a game-changing move when his 71-yard pass to Brandon Lloyd brought play to within a yard of the end zone. In the next passage of play, Tim Tebow carried the ball over for only the second touchdown of his career Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Brandon Lloyd manages to hold onto a pass despite being tackled by Taylor Mays Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Britton Colquitt punts the ball high and long for Denver Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree celebrates scoring San Francisco's second touchdown from Troy Smith's pass, not long after Smith had scored a touchdown which tied the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Eddie Royal dives into the end zone, but his touchdown is disallowed due to a penalty Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Denver's Ronald Fields gets a drink late in the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Orton looks to make another ambitious pass Photograph: Tom Jenkins

One of Orton's passes is intercepted, allowing 49er running back Frank Gore to dive into the end zone and score a critical touchdown which swings the game firmly in San Francisco's favour Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Despite a late rally, the Broncos lose 24-16. The disappointment shows on their faces as they traipse off the field at end of the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins