England’s footballers were given a heroes’ reception when they returned to their team hotel in Qatar following the 3-0 mauling of Senegal in Sunday night’s “Battle of the Big Cats”.
The Three Lions thrashed the African champions, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, to set up a World Cup quarter-final against reigning champions France on Saturday.
Jack Grealish was filmed dancing his way into the foyer of the team’s five-star Souq Al Wakra training HQ as raucous supporters and hotel staff waved St George’s flags, let off party poppers and fired confetti in the air.
Manager Gareth Southgate and players Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Nick Pope, Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker joined in celebrations, high-fiving well-wishers and jumping up and down on the spot. The squad wrote on Instagram: “An amazing welcome back at basecamp.” Grealish added on social media: “And we carry on. Let’s go boys!!!”
In the UK, many fans woke up with hangovers after an estimated 19 million watched the game at home on ITV1, and another three million in pubs and bars.
Before arriving at the base, England stars celebrated with family and friends inside Al Khor’s Al Bayt Stadium.
Captain Harry Kane, the man of the match, kissed his fitness instructor wife Katie Goodland, while Bukayo Saka embraced partner Tolami Benson. Jude Bellingham took a selfie with his parents Mark and Denise, and Grealish hugged his partner Sasha Attwood.
Southgate says he is looking forward to England’s quarter final against France, who he described as the “very best”. The defending world champions eased past Poland yesterday to seal their spot, with Olivier Giroud becoming their all-time top scorer before star man Kylian Mbappé hit a brilliant brace in the 3-1 triumph.
After England’s result last night, fan Holly Southern, 25, from the Lake District, said: “It was a great performance. I believe they can go all the way but France will be fierce opponents.” Energy sector worker Gavin Millar, 47, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, said it was “unbelievable” England were down to the final eight.
He admitted: “I massively underestimated Senegal and in the first 20 minutes, Pickford pulled off the save of the tournament from point-blank range. It kept us in the game.”
Friends Gareth Simpson, 42, and David Cullen, 40, fly home to Cambridge and New Zealand respectively today after two weeks in Qatar.
But are now in a rush to get tickets for the World Cup Final on December 18 believing England will be there.
Mr Simpson said: “I’ll take that result. It will be good for team confidence. France are a lot tougher but if we can beat them, then it’s time to believe football’s coming home.”
Angela Trattles, 54, from Middlesbrough, said: “Pickford was great and I’m glad Kane got a goal. But I think Jordan Henderson should have been man of the match.”
At Croydon Boxpark in south London, white confetti was released as the game ended and fans erupted into loud cheers, jumped together in celebration and punched the air.
