England fans have gathered in Manchester's Freight Island to soak up the atmosphere ahead of the final Group L World Cup match against Panama. The Three Lions have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, following results on Friday night that saw Spain beat Uruguay, ensuring Thomas Tuchel's men are among the top eight third-placed finishers.
Wes Brown mobbed by fans at Freight Island
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown made a special guest appearance at the food court, posing for selfies and being mobbed by enthusiastic crowds. The iconic white England shirts were everywhere as friends, couples, and families gathered to watch the match on the big screen.
England's knockout path secured
England are guaranteed to progress to the last 32 regardless of the result against Panama at MetLife Stadium. However, Tuchel's side can finish top of the group if they match Ghana's result against Croatia, which would set up a last-32 tie in Atlanta against a third-placed team, currently likely to be Senegal or DR Congo, though that could change.
Fans share predictions and excitement
Hope Gallagher caught up with fans before kick-off. Antonia and Callum booked the day off work to watch the match live for the first time. Molly and Ella, decked out in England colours, predicted a 2-0 victory, with Ella returning after a Euros experience involving a pint to the face. Lauren and her group, sporting the most England merchandise, optimistically predicted a 6-0 win, while Dan and Ned hoped for 2-0 and 4-1 victories respectively.
United fans were delighted to see Wes Brown, and a table of fans brought the vibes, dancing to England classics as kick-off approached. Manchester is ready for the big game.
