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Southgate’s men delivered a result to match the euphoric atmosphere of fans experiencing a rare taste of freedom
The fifth rendition of Vindaloo winds to a close. A can of lager is thrown into the air. By the time it lands with a spume of spray in among the thousands of fans congregating in Arena Square, another can has been launched skywards, and then another, and another, and another. Two hours before England play Germany, and Wembley Way is a monsoon of beer, sweat, rain, beer, songs, beer and hope.
The mood is euphoric, not sour; festive, not hostile. There is the occasional lyrical tribute to the RAF but by and large the minority of German fans shuffling towards the stadium are treated about as courteously as one might realistically expect. This is, after all, a moment of celebration and optimism: before the bitten nails to come, before Harry Kane has fluffed a certain goal, before Thomas Müller has run clean through on goal with 10 minutes left, when the promise of England, and this England, still feels fresh and abundant. Continue reading...