Memories of fan violence hung over England's first Word Cup match in the Russian city of Volgograd on Monday but these were all but forgotten after Harry Kane's injury-time winning goal against Tunisia.
On top of the 2-1 result, fans said they had been given a warm welcome in the southern city despite ice-cold relations between Moscow and London.
"I didn't want it to be so easy that we were walking over them," said Jonathan Phillips, from London and in Russia for the first time, after it looked like the match would end in a draw until the last minute.
"Everybody in Russia has been really welcoming, everything they say about the country doesn't apply," the 50-year-old nurse told AFP.
"People in England said don't go, you won't come back, but it's been great," he added as flag-draped England fans chanted Harry Kane's name outside the 45,000-seater stadium.
Uzi Alan, a 28-year-old banker from London, echoed the sentiment.
"We started well and then we slowed down a bit, but it was amazing how we finished," he said.
"The people here have been amazing too here -- really friendly, great culture, great football."
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