Welsh fans in tears as Dragons’ first World Cup in 64 years ends with just one goal to cheer

The Welsh World Cup campaign has ended in tears and heartache for long-suffering fans who waited 64 years for another shot at finals glory.

While England fans are raucously celebrating the Three Lions’ win both at home and abroad, Dragons fans are lamenting what could have been.

In all, Wales scored just one goal throughout the 2022 campaign.

It’s a disappointing finish for fans who were brimming with hope when Wales qualified for their first World Cup since 1958. 

Despite the loss, the Welsh squad were applauded by proud fans who sung the national anthem and cheered on their players as the full time siren rang out. 

The squad will fly home on Thursday, but some fans have reportedly packed up and are heading out already. 

One onlooker noted plenty of ‘unhappy Wales fans’ in Doha International Airport, adding: ‘I think they’d drown their sorrows if there was a bar here.’ 

There was never any doubt for the England fans who spoke with MailOnline on Tuesday ahead of the blockbuster match, which was labelled the Battle of Britain.

A Welsh fan looking dejected at the Swansea Fan Park in Singleton Park, during a screening of the FIFA World Cup Group B match between England and Wales

Dejected Wales fans at the 4TheFans Fan Park at The Tramshed, Cardiff as they watched their World Cup hopes slip away

Disappointment for Wales was etched on faces in Swansea as their hopes ebbed away 

A fan in Qatar watches on in astonishment as his team are thrashed by England

Time for a drink: Welsh supporters sipped on their beers as their side were unable to score

It’s a disappointing finish for fans who were brimming with hope when Wales qualified for their first World Cup since 1958

Supporters of Harry Kane’s squad exploded with joy in pubs across the country as the deadlock against Wales was finally broken by Rashford.

Then barely a moment later they were celebrating again as Phil Foden made it two. Rashford added a third about ten minutes later.

Pictures shared from pubs and bars across the nation show Welsh fans with their heads in hands, covering their eyes and drowning their sorrows as England continued to get points on the board.

Tensions are no doubt rising in Llanymynech, which straddles the Wales-England border – where passionate football fans were already trading jibes hours before the match.

From jubilation to devastation: This year’s World Cup is the first appearance Wales have made at the tournament since 1958

Fans in London watch Wales v England – London, Britain – November 29, 2022 England fans celebrate at boxpark Wembley after the match

Fans in Manchester watch Wales vs England as Harry Kane and co go 3-0 up in the match

It’s a disappointing finish for fans who were brimming with hope when Wales qualified for their first World Cup since 1958

The Welsh World Cup campaign has ended in tears and heartache for long-suffering fans who waited 64 years for another crack at finals glory

Pictured: (L-R) England fan Penny Kerr with partner Mark Hoff who is a Wales supporter pose for a picture by the giant bucket hat in the city centre of Cardiff

Families, friendships and even marriages were split straight down the middle – one pub on the Shropshire side was set to be full of Three Lions fans while the nearby Powys bar packed with Dragons. 

On the Powys side of town, landlord John Turner, 58, is likely to be unpopular with his bar full of Welsh fans at The Dolphin Inn. The east Londoner was booed by punters this morning when he revealed an England shirt under his Cymru hoodie.   

He confessed: ‘I might be the landlord of the village’s Welsh pub but I’m still supporting England.’

At the other pub, across the A483 in Shropshire, Jason Farr expected 90 per cent of customers at the Cross Keys to support England. 

‘There tends to be a bit more of a mix when it’s England v Wales in the rugby,’ he said. ‘I think some Welsh fans will perhaps stay at home.’ 

England fans react at the Budweiser Fan Festival London at Outernet, during a screening of the FIFA World Cup Group B match

Fans in London watch Wales v England – London, Britain – November 29, 2022 England fans celebrate at boxpark Wembley after Marcus Rashford scores their third goa

And then it was three! Rashford’s second made it 3-0 and powered England to top the group

Fans in Manchester watch Wales v England – Manchester, Britain – November 29, 2022 England fans celebrate at the Depot Mayfield

England were under immense pressure to deliver an entertaining match after a bore 0-0 draw against the USA on Friday night. 

They beat Iran 6-2 in their first match and will top the group with a win but a draw would have also seen them through.  

Wales’ chances hinged on a shock victory against England and the Iran vs USA match ending in a draw.

Despite the odds being stacked against Wales, Tuesday night’s match was still considered a huge fixture.

Grieving fans are hopeful it won’t be another 64 years before their team has the opportunity to compete for glory once again. 

England fans celebrate their side’s third goal of the game, scored by England’s Marcus Rashford, at BoxPark Croydon

Three-sy does it! Supporters in Manchester were over the moon at the result in Qatar tonight

Three cheers for the Three Lions: fans pumped the air with joy as the two goals went in

Fans celebrate an England goal as they watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 match between England and Wales

Gethin Mark Harris, 58, from Swansea, said he expected this was just the beginning for his beloved side.

‘Obviously this is 64 years in the making and this is just the start, I think, because we’ve had a taste of what World Cup football is about,’ he told BBC.

Meanwhile bosses throughout England are preparing for staff to show up with sore heads tomorrow as celebrations continue for England’s resounding win. 

Design manager Glenn Cook, 30, said after the result: ‘Who knows what is possible?

‘They have got a good squad. Maybe we will be swept away by a higher quality team but this World Cup has showed that there are no certainties.’

His friend, Scott Rutter, 41, a quantity surveyor, said: ‘The more we get into this World Cup, the more the excitement builds. The group stages have flashed by and we’re going through.

England fans at BoxPark Wembley celebrate their second goal scored by Phil Foden tonight

Fans watch the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Wales and England at the BUDX FIFA Fan Festival at Outernet in London

England fans look on at the Morningside Arena, Leicester, during a screening of the FIFA World Cup Group B match between Wales and England

England football fans ahead of the England vs Wales game at the Luna Springs in Digbeth, Birmingham

‘Based on our previous displays I wasn’t that hopeful but they are a half decent side and after the Euros we expect a lot.

‘I would like to think we’d beat Senegal and perhaps they will build on that and just get better.’

Jubilant workers bragged of swift exits from the office, with many heading straight to the pub on a day when some £215million is expected to be spent on booze.

Generous bosses had allowed staff to be flexible in the hours running up to the much-anticipated clash in Qatar.

Some had even been offering to provide a £25 bar tab for drinks and food, and paracetamol for the inevitable sore heads tomorrow morning.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have won the last six matches against their rivals, but Rob Page’s men, led by talisman Gareth Bale, need their first win over England since 1984 and other results to go their way as their last 16 hopes hang by a thread. 

Just before kick off the crowd at the BoxPark venue in London were treated to a performance from Atomic Kitten stars Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton.

They danced and sang on the stage with a cut out of England manager Gareth Southgate as fans chanted ‘It’s coming home, it’s coming home.’

Sing when your winning? England fans warm up their voices ahead of the crunch crash

Fans in Manchester watch Wales v England ahead of the kick-off in Qatar at 7pm this evening

England football fans ahead of the England vs Wales game at the Luna Springs in Digbet

Cheers! Fans were having a great time before the match had even kicked off in Qatar

All smiles for England: Fans got in the drinks for the big match up in the North East tonight

Aman Lakhwani, 19, Caspar Brown, 18, and Tyler Nash, also 19, told MailOnline earlier on Tuesday they’d be watching the game on almost no sleep after getting off their 40-hour flight from Sydney this morning.

The trio made a beeline straight for Wetherspoons in Victoria station, but watched England take on Wales from the fan area in Box Park, Croydon.

‘If they lose to Wales it’s just going to be depressing because no-one wants Wales to win, apart from Welsh people,’ Brown said.

But Brown put his faith in the well-placed hands of the coach, saying hours before the match up: ‘Southgate knows what he’s doing.’ 

David Hawthorne, 39, the deputy manager of Sports Bar and Grill in Victoria Station was also confident of a win for England.

In fact, he was more nervous about the busy night in his bar than whether his team could pull through. 

There was no shortage of facepainting at Boxpark in Wembley for the big match tonight

Cheers for England! These two fans were ready to support Harry Kane and the team at 7pm

Time to play: England fans bristled with anticipation ahead of the Qatar kick-off this evening

England and Wales fans are leaving work early to pack pubs on both sides of the border ahead of tonight’s ‘Battle of Britain’ in the World Cup

Fans wear ponchos that are handed out on entry to Box Park Croydon, to keep dry when beer goes flying when a goal is scored

‘The last England game it was busy and there were a few disasters which happened. Bits breaking down and going all over the place,’ he said.

‘They don’t get really rowdy here to be honest. It’s a good atmosphere – you get everyone up cheering and they do enjoy themselves.’

Other fans fear they won’t remember the game after starting too early on the beers.

In Hull, electrician James Halford admitted that by 3pm he was already on his tenth drink of the day. 

Clutching a vodka and orange in the city’s Yates bar, James, 24, said: ‘At this rate I won’t even make the game. And if I do, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to remember it. 

‘We started on the booze first thing this morning – I took the day off work. ‘But I’m meant to be in tomorrow at 7.30am. I’m not looking forward to it at all.’ 

David Hawthorne (pictured), 39, the deputy manager of Sports Bar and Grill in Victoria Station said he’s confident of a win for England

Others have travelled from as far as Australia for the match. Aman Lakhwani (left), 19, Caspar Brown (right), 18, and Tyler Nash (back right), also 19, told MailOnline they’d be watching the game on almost no sleep after getting off their 40-hour flight from Sydney this morning

Boxpark Croydon was getting busy as fans massed to cheer on the Three Lions against Wales

England v Wales World Cup fans ahead of the match with flags, beers and masks in Birmingham Grant Arms pub

Pal Tom Sweeney, 25, added: ‘We went to a Kasabian gig in Sheffield last night, so we haven’t really stopped drinking since then.

‘We’re having a great time. And Gareth Southgate is going to make it even better later.’ 

Meanwhile, fans arriving at Croydon’s famous Box Park were looking forward to a few beers and staying dry after being handed ponchos.

The south London venue is famous for its beer sodden celebrations with drinks flying everywhere in celebration and sold out the £20 a head 1200 capacity within minutes of going online.

Emergency responder Alice Gill, 31, and her boyfriend bank manager Joe Murphy, 32, were the first punters through the door.

Clutching a pint, Arsenal fan Alice told MailOnline: ‘I’m really looking forward to the game and fingers crossed we will win and go into the knockout stage.

‘We’ve got ponchos with the tickets and we may have to use them because we’ve seen the pictures and it looks quite lively.’

An England fan and a Wales fan pose in Qatar before tonight’s World Cup Group B clash

Generous bosses have allowed their staff to be flexible in the hours running up to the much-anticipated clash in Qatar, with some even offering to provide a £25 bar tab for drinks and food, and paracetamol for the inevitable sore heads tomorrow morning

Pictured: Ross Kayley at the Fox Inn in Oswestry, who predicts England will win 4-2

England fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Facepainting was observed in Qatar as a proud fan was daubed with the St George flag tonight

Joe, who took a half day of work, added: ‘It’s our first time here and I’m excited to see what the atmosphere is like. If it’s anything like you see from pictures and TV it will be great.

‘If England win it’s going to be mad in here and I’m sure they can do it.’

Aaron Broomfield, 28, and his partner Rebecca Sinclair, both from Sunderland, took three days off work to travel to London to experience the fanfare.

While Ms Sinclair isn’t as diehard a fan as her partner, she’s still supporting England. 

Mr Broomfield said he missed the last World Cup in 2018 due to illness and now wants to make up for lost time.

‘Football is a massive part of my life. I follow it religiously… I know we weren’t that great against USA but we will still have enough for Wales.’

Mr Broomfield said: ‘If we lose, I would be annoyed and devastated. I don’t think we should be getting beat today.’ If England were to win the entire competition, Mr Broomfield said it’d be ‘the best day of his life’.

Aaron Broomfield, 28, and his partner Rebecca Sinclair, 27, from Sunderland, took three days off work to watch the World Cup from London 

Tom Sweeney, 25, and pal James Halford, 24, were ready to roar the Three Lions onto victory

Insurance broker Sam Marks, 32, had also taken half a day off work and to join pal Scott Smith, 32, who finished his shift on the railway at lunchtime.

Liverpool supporter Sam said: ‘I’ve been here before and the atmosphere is great. We got a VIP table right at the front and the beer is flowing nicely. I’ve got a good feeling about England and hopefully this time it really will come home. We’ve waited long enough.’

Crystal Palace fan Scott said: ‘It’s been a good tournament so far football wise and there have been some surprise results but I’m not expecting any shocks tonight, just a 4-1 England win.’

Sam added: ‘The only thing I will say is that it would have been good if Harry Kane had worn the LGBT armband like he said he was going to and make a stand. I was a bit disappointed he and the team didn’t follow through on that.’

Officials at one venue estimated they would sell more than 4,000 pints during the match – more than sold at venues in Doha, where an alcohol ban remains in place.

Young Wales football fans in the city centre of Cardiff ahead of this evening’s World Cup clash

Alice Gill and Joe Murphy enjoy pints at Croydon’s Boxpark before tonight’s big game

Two young Wales fans embrace before their team’s clash with England in the ‘Battle of Britain’ this evening

Welsh fans Ceiron Watkins, Jack Grout, Elliot Jones, Sam Barton and Harry Wren enjoy a pre-match beer in Tenerife before their team’s heartbreaking loss

Earlier, a number of business leaders revealed the steps they are taking to let their staff enjoy the match. 

Chris Schutrups, of The Mortgage Hut, said: ‘We’re supporting our team by offering them either time off or time in lieu if they’re not a football fan.

‘As a thank you to our team members for their hard work, we are also offering an allowance, which will be paid in their monthly pay, of £25 per match to use on food or drinks.’

Ross Boyd, CEO at Dashly.com, added: ‘If someone wants to slip off early to get a few beers in before the match, we certainly won’t hold it against them.

‘This is one of the biggest sporting events in this country for some time so you’d think most employers would get into the spirit of things. Equally, we’ll be bringing in some paracetamol tomorrow as there may well be a few sore heads.’

England fans hit the bars as they enjoy an early afternoon pint at the Five Swans pub in Newcastle

More England fans outside the Five Swans pub in Newcastle – one wearing a graduation outfit

Three young Wales football fans in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales

England fans in Birmingham enjoy an early pint before tonight’s match with Wale

An England fan dons a mask of Gareth Southgate as he enjoys morning pints in Birmingham before tonight’s World Cup match with Wales

O’Neill’s, a popular pub near Cardiff railway station in the city centre, had said this morning they were banning English supporters from entering as they wanted to create a ‘safe atmosphere’ for Wales fans.

But the venue, which has giant screens up for the World Cup match and has shown all previous Three Lions matches, has since performed a U-turn after protests.

The pub chain announced: ‘We have made the decision to welcome both Wales and England football fans to watch the exciting World Cup 2022 tie this evening. 

‘As always, we will have security in place to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy the football.’

Meanwhile, the boss of fellow pub chain Fuller’s said the tournament has been a huge boost for venues since it began on November 20, after a difficult couple of years for the hospitality sector due to Covid.

Chief executive Simon Emeny told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: ‘It’s going to be the biggest of the three group matches, a Home Nations fixture with a lot hanging on it.

‘We as a company and a sector will be crossing everything for an English victory because they will then play a last 16 game on Sunday at 7pm which will be great for pubs, so we’d get a great day and an even better day on Sunday.

‘It’s very much additional bookings [that the World Cup has produced] – for the first match last Monday, takings ranged from up 30%-40%.

‘There’s no better place to watch an English victory or performance than in a pub with your friends and family and colleagues, it’s a much more enjoyable experience than watching it at home.

‘It doesn’t displace [Christmas bookings], it’s incremental, which is why we need England – or Wales – to get as far as possible for the sector when we’ve had a difficult two or three years, so we’ll be crossing everything for an England win at Fuller’s today.’

Welsh fans Leah Phillips and Morgan Williams enjoy the sun in Tenerife before their side’s crunch Group B clash with England

Lee Edwards, Lee Brickell and Steven Powell from Abertillery soak up the sun in Tenerife 

England fans Jack Bayly, Lewis Foster, Lewis Hopkins and Daniel Walker enjoy beers in Tenerife

Meanwhile, fans in Tenerife prepared for the clash the only way they know how – with a full English breakfast washed down with an ice cold Spanish beer.

Thousands of Welsh and England supporters flocked to Spain for some winter sun and are now wildly celebrating in lively bars and restaurants.

Among them were a group of friends from Pontypool, south Wales, who opted to enjoy the beautiful game in laid-back Tenerife rather than endure the harsh rules of Qatar.

Jack Grout, 22, told MailOnline: ‘We came here especially to watch the World Cup. We’ve been here for about ten days.

‘We decided it was a much better bet to be here in Tenerife than going to Qatar because of the expense and all the rules and regulations there.

‘It’s been great fun so far, a real laugh. We just hope our boys can do us proud.’

England supporters were singing songs and waving St George flags at Leonardos bar in Playa de las Americas. 

Grown men had painted their faces and were dancing to World Cup songs at the Great Oak pub nearby, meanwhile Wales supporters were making their way to the ‘Original Wigan Pier’ bar – which has become an unofficial fan zone for the Red Dragons.

One keen England fan Mark Stokes said: ‘I’m from Portsmouth but my wife is Welsh and we live in Barry, south Wales, so we just hope it’s a good game!’

Friends Leah Phillips, 26, and Morgan Williams, 27, from Merthyr have been sunbathing between matches.

Leah, who works in finance, told MailOnline: ‘We we’re looking for some winter sun and we knew lots of Welsh fans were coming to Tenerife to watch the football so we thought ‘why not’.’

Saint George’s Cross flags on display at the Kirby Estate, Bermondsey, South East London ahead of England vs Wales World Cup match

England fans pose for a photograph at a souq in Doha on the day of the FIFA World Cup Group B match between Wales and England

A man selling Wales scarves and bucket hats in Queen Street, in the city centre of Cardiff

Fans Terry and Joan in Birmingham cheering England on – the game kicks off at 7pm 

England fan James Vincent (left) and Mike Ritter gather at the Red Lion Pub & Restaurant in Doha, Qatar

Andy Pearson, pictured at the Saltney Tavern – ‘the last pub in England’ – was born in Chester while his brother John was born just over the Welsh border in Mancot

Thousands of England and Wales fans also descended on Doha today for the crucial World Cup encounter.

Doha was a sea of red and white shirts as the fans flooded into the city for the first-ever clash between two home nations at a World Cup.

Around 30 flights carrying supporters heading to Qatar touched down at breakfast time as they were greeted by searing heat.

England fans gathered in Doha’s Red Lion pub from early this morning and began downing pints of lager.

Graham Eastham, 38, draped in an England flag, roared: ‘This is going to be a great derby. But only one team’s going to win and it’s not Wales.

‘We’ve had a fantastic tournament and it’s going to get even better.’

Hours later, he’d be proven right. 

Tony Meakin, 55, from London, said: ‘It’ll be a cracking match and we’re going to have a good few pints before kick off.

‘The atmosphere will be electric. All the England fans want to see a great victory so that we can send the Welsh home.’

His friend Andrew Curl, 48, said: ‘It’s been a fantastic tournament so far and it’ll be great to beat our Welsh cousins.

‘We’ve been here since the start of the tournament and have been having a good laugh with the Welsh lads. But sadly they’ll be crying tonight as they’ll have to go home.’

A Wales fan and an England fan put rivalries aside and enjoy a drink together before the game

England fan Issey Bulter and Welsh fan Rachel Walters in Qatar

An England fan holds up the cross of St George in Doha before this evening’s match

John Chambers and Antony Morgan having a beer and getting ready for the game in Birmingham

Joe Seymour, 36, a town planner from Cheltenham and Welsh fan, said: ‘It has cost me £2,500 to see this match, but every penny is just worth it.

‘I think Wales can beat England, we have to be mentally tougher and really up for it.

‘It is an absolute privilege to see this match and to be in Doha, where the people have been fantastic with us.’

Lee Trowbridge, 40 and his friend Sam Grimwood, 39 revealed how they had walked to the stadium from Doha airport because they could not get a cab.

Mr Trowbridge, a Spurs fan from Portsmouth said: ‘We’re really up for this game. We’ve had a great day in Doha and have been so excited that we didn’t want to wait around for a taxi so decided to walk.

‘It’s great getting together with the Welsh lads. We’ve had a good laugh and the better team will win, which is England.’

The two men flew in for the match from Dubai where they have been staying during the World Cup.

Paul ‘Tango’ Gregory, one of England’s most famous football fans, said: ‘I’ll bet the shirt on my back that England will win even though I don’t wear it that much.

‘It’s been a fantastic tournament and now all we need is for England to make it even better by winning and going through to the next round.

His partner Rachel Seeviour, 51 added: ‘I’m getting very excited about this game. We’ve been making lots of noise and having a few drinks.

‘There’s been great banter with the Wales fans and we’re all enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to a classic British football match.’

He and Rachel, who have spent around £4,000 on their trip thus far, will leave Doha tomorrow and head to Dubai for three days to save on their expenses.

Mr Gregory added: ‘It is cheaper for us to fly to Dubai and stay there for a few days, rather than hang about here, where hotels are very expensive and booked up.

‘But as we are 99 per cent certain of going through to the next round, we also very sure that we will be returning for the next match.

‘We hope England go all the way and we’re out here right to the end of the tournament.’

England and Wales fans number around 10,000 in Doha. Millions will be watching at home

Wales fans pose for a photograph in a souk in Doha on the day of the FIFA World Cup Group B match between Wales and England

Steven Williams (centre) and Lee Holloway (right) proudly hold a Welsh flag in the Red Lion in Doha ahead of the big match. Wales will need to win the match and hope for a good result when Iran play the US if they are going to progress

England and Wales fans together in Doha ahead of the big match tonight where millions will watch from home

‘It’s coming home!’: These Three Lions fans are gearing up for tonight’s clash between England and Wales in Doha

But there’s plenty of support, too, for Wales which suffered a heartbreaking injury-time defeat to Iran last week. Pictured are fans in Doha on Tuesday morning