The MCs did their best to lift the spirits of a growing crowd as kick-off approached, but even the usual bankers of 'It's Coming Home' and 'World in Motion' couldn't cut through the tense atmosphere at Depot Mayfield. This was England's first knock-out tournament game since agonisingly losing on penalties at the Euros final, and it was against the champions of Africa.
Despite the cans of lager flowing from the bars fans stayed rooted to their seats or were left standing with nothing to cheer as Senegal had the best chances of the first half-an-hour. But 38 minutes in the roof was well and truly blown off Europe's biggest fan-zone.
In spite of being booed by many in attendance at Depot Mayfield, Liverpool's Jordan Henderson scored England's opener, sending the depot into bedlam. Cans were thrown, a flare was set off, and the pre-game instruction to not climb on tables was ignored.
