'It's coming home': England fans in Portsmouth pub go wild as Harry Kane fires Three Lions past DR Congo

Jubilant England fans celebrated wildly in Portsmouth as The Three Lions come from behind to beat DR Congo.

Harry Kane scored a brace in a 2-1 victory which fired England into the round of 16. They’ll face host nation Mexico at the Azteca stadium.

Pompey fan Mikey Denham, 35, of Horndean, was among the spectators in the packed Green Posts pub garden in Hilsea. He told The News: “Emotions went through the roof. I have to admit, I always knew they could do it.

“I thought they would nick it. Thomas Tuchel, say what you may about him, but the man knows what he’s doing.”

The game didn’t start brightly as England were all over the place in the first seven minutes. There was a yawning gap in the defence when Djed Spence allowed a Chancel Mbemba long ball to bounce. Winger Brian Cipenga capitalised and fired a low shot into the bottom corner past Jordan Pickford.

Spectators in the London Road boozer had their heads in their hands. Several standout chances went begging. Dr Congo’s goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau produced a string of saves including from a Kane volley at the end of the first half. Hilsea spectators cried out when Mpasi-Nzau flew out and brought down Kane in the penalty area, not given by VAR.

The game turned on its head in the second half. Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke - jeered off by Green Posts crowd - were replaced by Anthony Gordon and Bakayo Saka. Gordon’s beautiful cross was headed home by Kane, with chants of “footballs coming home” ringing round the pub.

Gordon linked up with Kane again, who brought the ball onto his strong foot and powered a shot into the roof of the net. Mpasi-Nzau stood no chance.

Spectators cheered at the top of their lungs and thew drinks into the air. Mikey said: “Who else was going to do it? Kane would never let this team go out in the round of 32.

“Congo had a gameplan, and in the first 60 minutes, they did well. I’ve said it from day one, as a deluded Portsmouth and England fan, it’s coming home.”

Several supporters felt the same. Graham Webber, of Hilsea, said: “You’ve got to keep the faith. I’m confident, but teams do play a low block and it’s hard to break down sometimes. We’ll win it all though.”

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Pompey fan Albert Dridge, 10, added: “We just have to get through games like this. We’re better against teams that attack rather than defend. We handle it and be winners.”

Steve Archer, of Hilsea, has fears about the right-back position. He said: “Last time we had lots of choices, but now we seem to be short. It could be a problem against strong opposition on the left. France and Kylian Mbappe could be an issue. I think they’ll go all the way.”

Ryan Mason, of Milton, said: “I think they’ll get to the semi finals. I’m not sure they’ll get further than that because there will be some tough games. We’ve been good enough at times, but in others, we haven’t been quite there.”

Seven-year-old Ezra Myles was not as much of a defeatist. He said: “England will win the World Cup! They’re very good!”