Welcomed with open arms and vodka – three England fans have a ball in Russia

After spending our first night with a group of friendly ultras in St Petersburg, it was clear England fans are welcome here

Whatever happens from this point, we can say that we were there to see England win a penalty shootout. A firm outstretched top hand from Jordan Pickford to save the Colombian penalty, followed by an Eric Dier winner, made the sucker-punch 90th-minute equaliser worth the heart-wrenching stress.

As a group we came to Russia refusing to believe what we considered to be over-hyped depictions of blood-thirsty Russians chomping at the bit to get their hands on some England fans. We were aided by the fact that one of us, Max, had been based in Moscow for three years and we trusted his judgment when it came to the reception England fans would receive.

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