The England players did a lap of honour after beating Croatia 4-2 in a stunning opening victory. The squad applauded our fans and joined in the Oasis hit ‘Wonderwall’.
Harry Kane described singing ‘Wonderwall’ with the fans in Dallas as ‘one of his favourite World Cup moments’. The players did a lap of honour to thank the supporters after beating their old foes Croatia 4-2 in a stunning opening victory.
The squad applauded our fans in the magnificent Dallas stadium, which had a capacity of around 70,000 for the World Cup, and joined in the Oasis hit ‘Wonderwall’.
Kane, 32, said: “That was one of my favourite moments in an England shirt especially at a major tournament. I know it is the first game and we are not getting carried away.
“But to feel that emotional connection with the fans. We know how much it means to them and they know how much it means to us.
“Just that moment singing ‘Wonderwall’ in the stadium, everyone knew the words, that was really special. We knew there would be plenty of beer being thrown around back home.
“We love that stuff. All the players, Picks ( Jordan Pickford ), and I are on the other side now. But we love that and we are not disconnected from the fans. We know how much it means to them I hope we can have some more special moments.”
Kane revealed that David Beckham left him a voice note before and after the game to congratulate him on matching his milestone of 115 caps, putting him level as the third most capped player behind Peter Shilton and Wayne Rooney.
He told the FA podcast Lions’ Den: “I am extremely proud to be amongst those names. David Beckham was my idol growing up, my hero. He came from the same area as me in Chingford and we went to the same school.
“To have the same number of caps as him is pretty mind blowing, to be honest. I do not really get the chance to look back and take it all in but for sure when I finish playing, it will be something that I will take in fully.
“David sent me a nice voice note before and then after the game to congratulate me on reaching 115 said he knew how hard it was to reach that level and be that consistent and he sent me a message wishing they boys all the best as well.
“To get to 10 goals now for the World Cup, the same as Gary Lineker, is obviously really pleasing. I am feeling good and raring to go again.” He described Beckham as a great role model who remains popular 20 years after he stopped playing.
Jordan Pickford, 32, paid tribute to the fans and said he was sure there would be more support at the next two group games.
“We are all passionate people, it gives an added edge, and we all love the atmosphere and thrive from it,” he said.
“I think we will see even more people coming across for the next games.
“We have to turn up so they enjoy it even more. There is a collective of players and fans. We want to give them special moments.”
‘Chase the Sun’ by the Italian dance group Planet Funk has been chosen by the World Cup organisers as the ‘England song’ after games. It became popular after it was played at the World Darts Championship.
Pickford joked: “I keep thinking of Darts (the pop group). But I see the lads celebrating from the other end and I think it is good.”
