England’s penalty shoot-out united these rival India-Pakistan cricket fans, and it’s just glorious
The England-Switzerland Euros quarter-final wasn’t exactly a thrill a minute, until the 1-1 draw ended in a penalty shoot-out. That was a literal game-changer.
England fans have been burnt before, and were wary of counting any chickens, but five calm and confident shots from Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold got the job done without any additional drama.
I’m an old bloke, and I’ve seen England miss SO many penalties over the years. But every single one of those penalties tonight was a PEACH! #EnglandvsSwitzerland
— Clive Myrie (@CliveMyrieBBC) July 6, 2024
WELL DONE LADS
But if you can, please make it less stressful next time. @allontheboard #ENGSUI #England #allontheboard pic.twitter.com/ZyhTo7kDce— All On The Board (@allontheboard) July 6, 2024
So pleased for Trent. Showed huge courage and character. Going in at 5th in the shootout almost felt like he was being set up to fail having only been on for 6 mins but he delivered when it mattered most #ENGSUI #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/lP7ZcDEX9H
— Ben Smith (@BSmith) July 6, 2024
As Trent secured England’s place in the semi-finals, fans gathered at Edgbaston for the World Championship of Legends match between cricketing giants India and Pakistan put aside their most pressing rivalry to unite behind the England team.
Watch what happened.
Scenes at Edgbaston where India are playing Pakistan but people are watching the England game.
2 sets of rival supporters united by their love of England!#PakvsInd #ENGSUI #comeonengland #england pic.twitter.com/gDuhu3wvbH
— Harjap Singh Bhangal (@HarjapBhangal) July 6, 2024
Harjap Singh Bhangal‘s video has been viewed more than nine million times in less than two days, picking up delighted comments like these –
1.
British Asian Indian and Pakistani cricket fans coming together at Edgbaston to support England at the Euros. But you know, they’re a fifth column, don’t integrate, don’t hold British values and aren’t English. pic.twitter.com/4qbiBv7Smd
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) July 7, 2024
2.
Beautiful https://t.co/EY0v8WLQYG
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 6, 2024
3.
Norman Tebbit, your test took a hell of a beating https://t.co/kVHYGoQV1t
— Dr Charlotte Lydia Riley (@lottelydia) July 6, 2024
4.
Anyone that's lives in areas like Birmingham knows this is exactly what life is like, don't believe the toxic, divisive right wing rhetoric..
— Clifford K (@holte) July 6, 2024
5.
They need to.'integrate '
— terry christian (@terrychristian) July 6, 2024
6.
@Nigel_Farage
This is the real Britain. Colour, creed, religion irrelevant.— Pete Lacey (@bootslacey) July 6, 2024
7.
Wonderful; somewhere Norman Tebbit is very confused
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 7, 2024
8.
Remember these images when the weird racists and dividers make out we have no common parts to our national identities. Oh and they’re lovely pictures too. https://t.co/z1pnYagBCU
— Shelagh Fogarty (@ShelaghFogarty) July 6, 2024
9.
Has Nigel Farage still not shared this video of English patriotism and unity on his feed?
— Matthew Stadlen (@MatthewStadlen) July 7, 2024
10.
This is England ❤️
— Kandeman (@kandemanUK) July 6, 2024
11.
People don’t understand how big of a deal it is to unite Pakistan and Indian fans during a game of cricket… love to see it
— That NFT Guy (@That_NFT_Guy) July 6, 2024
12.
That's lovely stuff!
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) July 6, 2024
13.
I was there
Lovely to see https://t.co/T7Dxtc1oLC— neil marsh (@neilmarsh50) July 7, 2024
14.
Farage and Braverman look away now … multiculturalism working https://t.co/O8JATH6d1s
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) July 6, 2024
Cricket fans weren’t the only ones enjoying a sporting crossover. Here’s how Wimbledon reacted to England’s win.
Centre Court erupts as the news that @England have won on penalties filters through #Wimbledon | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/OoKv7n1tVo
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2024
In case you were wondering, Pakistan won by 68 runs.
And it's done. Pakistan Champions beat India Champions by 68 runs to maintain their unbeaten run in the World Championship of Legends.
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) July 6, 2024
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Howzat for an all-time incredible cricket catch?
Source Harjap Singh Bhangal Image Screengrab