England fans go from feeling agony to ecstasy as they fill pubs and support Three Lions

England fans were put through a rollercoaster of emotions as the Three Lions fought back to beat Democratic Republic of Congo for a place in last 16 of World Cup.

An early goal for DR Congo left England fans fearing the worse but two goals from Harry Kane in the second half sent crowds wild across the country.

The action took place in Atlanta, Georgia, but the 5pm kick-off saw fans slip away from work to fill up pubs and fan parks for the round of 32 clash.

They came only to see the central African side play out of their skin and get an early lead when The Leopard’s Brian Cipenga scored after seven minutes.

An anxious wait to the 75th minute followed before skipper Harry Kane pulled level.

England then took the lead in the 86th minute as Kane smashed his effort into the roof of the net, to the relief and delight of screaming fans back home.

The 2-1 win sets up a last-16 tie on Sunday against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, one of world football's most famous venues.

At half-time, fan Stuart Stevens, 36, stood staring at the screen at a Wembley watch party and called 's defence 'shocking'.

He said: 'That was the best that we had in a while, and they're playing crap together.'

A big cheer went up inside the Wembley Boxpark when Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon were subbed on early in the second half.

Sales boss Nathan Charles, 43, found a sure-fire guarantee he could leave work for the daytime kick-off.

He travelled to Boxpark Wembley from Liverpool Street in London at around 3pm with two of his colleagues.

Standing next to two colleagues who were proudly sporting shirts and hats, he said: 'I'm their boss and I said they could, which means I can.'

England fan Ellie Thompson and her business partner decided to 'give themselves the time off' to nab a spot at the venue.

Ms Thompson said: 'Yeah we've taken a half day to come and see it.'

Kev Tarpey joked he could not say much, having left work early to watch the game.

Guinness in hand, he said: 'I live round the corner, so I left work, booked the tickets to get in here and there we are.'

'He was nervous about the game because of 'recent performances' where struggled to break opponents down.

'I think we should win comfortably, but with recent performances, I think we might struggle, one or two nil, score late on,' said Mr Tarpey.

Also in Wembley, Jaxson Bunman, an 18-year-old Australian wearing an top, said: 'You see how big is with soccer and how much it means to the people and how the atmosphere's unreal.'

A 'happy' Insurance worker Jack Williams said he would be settling in with friends to catch the game at a central London sports bar.

The 24-year-old said 'we were allowed to leave early, they emailed saying finish up early' and added 'I'm happy about it' but 'sceptical' about 's chances.

In the US, hopes were high for success against DR Congo.

Speaking alongside his 62-year-old sister Sally, Andrew Whetton, from Nottingham, told the Press Association his score prediction was '3-0 – we're not giving them a goal'.

Sally, who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, added: 'I'm going to give them a goal. I'm going 4-1. A consolation goal just for showing up.'

Of his feelings about how might progress through the tournament, Andrew, 59, said: 'Not so much for the next round. That could get interesting.

'They (Mexico) were a bit quick last night – but I think we can slow them down.

'We can drag them down to our level.'

Shaun Rothhead described his US holiday, planned to include time to watch , as the 'trip of a lifetime'.

Work commitments means he will have to head back to on Wednesday, but he added: 'We must have been saving for eight years.

'I think we had about £21,000 between us. I don't think I'm bringing any change home.'