There was an uneasy tension as an excitable crowd clutched morning pints to watch the Women’s World Cup semi-final, erupting into joyful chanting as the first goal was scored. It did not take long before suspenseful silence returned.
England conceded to Australia early in the second half – only for Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo to take the team back on top, and for the east London pub to burst into relieved but rapturous cheering and dancing.
