An estimated 5,000 England fans travelled to Qatar to watch the clash against Iran at the 40,000-seater Khalifa International Stadium.
Back in Britain, millions more packed into offices, pubs or watched from home to see TV coverage of the game, which kicked off at 1pm UK time.
England’s preparations had been overshadowed by controversies over Qatar’s human rights record, LGBT+ laws and whether captain Harry Kane would wear the rainbow armband, which was intended to signal respect for gay rights and equality in general. But fans in Doha said they were relieved that the action had started.
Mollie Vick, 24, and Lucy Hughes, 29, from Deal, Kent turned up two hours before the start to “soak up the atmosphere”.
Ms Vick told the Standard: “We booked a year ago so it’s really cool to finally be here to cheer on the team.” Her friend Harry Magachie, 25, was with Terry Miles, 56, his wife Jayne and their son Tom, 26.
Mr Magachie added: “We’re staying for 10 days at the moment but have tickets for the final in December.”
Esta historia es de la edición November 21, 2022 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 21, 2022 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.
'Healing is a dirty word'
After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis
