England fans appeared somewhat tense after a goalless first half in the Three Lions’ semi-final clash against Argentina which was littered with fouls and interruptions.
Argentina supporters loudly booed as Thomas Tuchel’s side and their fans belted out God Save The King at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium – alluding to the cagey first 45 minutes that was to come.
With 19 fouls but no goals or shots on target, fans who had been optimistic before the game seemed more nervous at half-time.
A sell-out crowd at Boxpark in Wembley, north London, celebrated Lisandro Martinez’s yellow card enthusiastically and appeared angry when the referee called for half time rather than a corner kick before hurrying to the bars.
Superfan Gary Holliday said he spent around £2,500 on a ticket for the match.
Speaking outside the stadium in Atlanta before kick-off, Mr Holliday, 46, from Birmingham, told the Press Association: “I’ve been chatting to the lads in the WhatsApp group and I’m mildly optimistic, to be honest.
“If Bellingham turns up, I honestly don’t think these are as good as, certainly what they think they are.
“I think Bellingham is going to run all over them, to be honest – Kane has been off the boil for the last couple, I think he owes us a game as well.
“So I’m quite optimistic – I’ve spent a small fortune on a ticket for the final so fingers, toes and anything else long enough crossed.”
Also outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Colin Leslie, 63, originally from Salisbury, told PA: “I’m absolutely petrified.
“It’s going to be a long trip home if it goes wrong.”
Asked if he was confident of a result, he added: “The same as every tournament – yes. And we’ve got a Bellingham so we should be all right, and we’ve got a Kane as a back-up for Bellingham, and I believe Mr (Declan) Rice might be joining us today.”
Liam Pearce, 29, from Wiltshire, told PA: “I’m very nervous, it’s the semi-final of a World Cup.
“It’s a big game, it’s a big rivalry, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.”
Mr Holliday conceded that he was “mildly concerned” about the threat posed by Argentina captain Messi.
“You’ve got to be mildly concerned haven’t you?” he said.
“But Messi of four years ago is not the same player he is now.
“I think he looks brilliant against really, really average teams, and I don’t think we’re average – I think Elliot Anderson and Declan (Rice) will get around him and hopefully smash him.”
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