BirminghamLive reporter Harry Leach joined thousands of England fans in Birmingham for the 2am World Cup knockout tie against Mexico, and despite the early hour and a beer-soaked shirt, he says he would unquestionably do it all over again.
Leach initially hesitated, but after experiencing the atmosphere in Digbeth’s Luna Springs and watching England win 3-2 in a dramatic match, he felt the night was worth it. He rode a Lime bike home in his soaked shirt, a memory he cherishes.
A walk through the city centre
Leach began his solo walk towards Luna Springs in Digbeth at 10.30pm, soaking up the atmosphere and chatting to fans. The city was a mix of silence and pockets of life, with bars showing the game drawing crowds.
He passed pubs where staff served small groups, all wearing expressions that questioned the late opening. Bars not showing sport had already closed, but clusters of England fans headed to venues that did.
The atmosphere builds in Digbeth
By 11pm in Digbeth, the atmosphere had shifted. More noise, more England shirts, and more signs of life. Conversations spilled into the street, with pints and cigarettes as groups gathered outside bars discussing the line-up and counting down to kick-off.
Leach stopped at The Big Bull's Head for a Guinness, where a DJ played 90s rave anthems to a crowd of about 15 people. One wide-eyed man shouted, “Here we go!” Leach finished his pint and continued.
Inside Luna Springs
Luna Springs was already packed. Leach spoke to one fan who was working at 9am but said, “Not bothered though. It’s coming home! Trust me!” Another fan, whose alarm would go off in six hours, said, “This is either going to be worth it, or it will completely ruin me. Actually, probably both.”
Despite kick-off being pushed back an hour to 2am, fans remained confident. Every supporter predicted an England win, fueled by belief in Harry Kane, “the best striker in the world,” and increasing pint tallies.
A dramatic match
England won 3-2 in one of the most dramatic World Cup matches Leach had ever seen. Two Jude Bellingham goals in two minutes, a Harry Kane penalty, a red card for Jarell Quansah, and over 20 nail-biting minutes with 10 men as England held on.
Before kick-off, talk centered on the altitude at the Azteca stadium, but England played with one man fewer for almost half the match and still won.
Fan reactions after the win
As thousands poured out of Luna after the final whistle, one fan said, “I can’t believe it. If I knew how to cry, I would.” Another added, “That’s one of the best games I’ve ever seen.” He had work in four hours but said it was “100 percent worth it,” planning to work, nap, and get a “horrible takeaway” with full-fat coke and a greasy burger to beat the hangover.
Fans drifted back into Digbeth in small groups before disappearing into the sleeping city.
No regrets
Leach realized he would not have regretted staying home, but the experience was unforgettable. He headed home as the city woke up, with birds tweeting and traffic increasing. His England shirt, crumpled on the floor, still smelled of beer, and he was in no rush to wash it.
