England fans race from Azteca to Miami as World Cup quarter-final fever grips

England fans are making their way from Mexico City to Miami after witnessing one of the most dramatic matches in the nation’s football history, with Thomas Tuchel’s ten-man side advancing to a World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

Supporters were still processing the result over breakfast in the Mexican capital on Thursday morning before heading to the airport. Some caught the 6.50am AeroMexico direct flight to Miami, while others flew home to England for work commitments before planning to return on Friday.

The mood among travelling fans was euphoric. Superfan Gary Taylor, who attended the match with his girlfriend Jo Lewis, ranked it among his all-time favourites. “What a match — that ranks in my top three games of all-time,” he said. “It doesn’t beat Germany away in 2001, and the 2002 World Cup against Argentina, but it was just fantastic. It was a real privilege to be here.” Taylor also praised the home support, adding: “Fair play to the Mexico fans, they were great in defeat.”

Tony Incenzo, who has attended more than 2,500 non-league grounds across the National League pyramid and has followed every World Cup since 1970, was equally effusive. “That was one of the best matches I’ve ever seen,” he said.

The scramble for quarter-final tickets was already intense by Wednesday night. On the official FIFA resale platform, one ticket was listed at £7,000, while prices on Seatgeek ranged from £2,200 to £3,000. One seller had listed a single ticket for £5.6 million.

Among those searching is Dan Fellows, 37, a businessman originally from Wolverhampton who now lives in Houston, Texas. Fellows has followed England to most of their matches this summer and already holds tickets for the semi-final and final, but is still hunting for a quarter-final seat. “A World Cup quarter-final in Miami — it doesn’t get much better than that,” he said. “I’ve been to nearly every England game this tournament, and I’ve already got my tickets for the semi and the final. Now I just need one for Saturday, but I’m pretty confident I’ll get one.”

England will face Norway and the spectacle of their famous rowing celebration in the last eight, with Erling Haaland leading the Scandinavian challenge.