Manchester England fans photos: inside huge fanzone at Mayfield Depot as England beat Iran 6-2 in World Cup

Thousands of England fans flocked to Manchester’s Mayfield Depot to watch the Three Lions’ emphatic 6-2 win at the 2022 World Cup.

Six thousand supporters flooded into Road to Victory – Europe’s largest fan park – at Depot Mayfield, a venue famous for its clubbing events, for the nation’s opening match against Iran. And they were treated to a goal-fest, as Gareth Southgate’s side scored six and lifted the expectations of fans nationwide.

After full-time, one fan George, 26, simply said: “We’re going all the way!”

Fans began arriving from 11.30am and brought a Friday night feeling to a cold Monday morning, as anticipation quickly gathered pace for England’s first game since their 3-3 draw with Germany in September. The sold-out crowd played host to pre-match entertainers, iconic English songs, and mesmerising pyrotechnics that built up to the all-important group game.

The game started slowly, with action being halted for 15 minutes to tend to Iran’s injured keeper, Alireza Beiranvand. It was ultimately up to youngster Jude Bellingham to calm the nerves of a nation, as he opened the scoring after half an hour to send drinks and chants flying across the Depot.

Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling each added to the tally, making it 3-0 in the first half – and sending Mayfield into a veritable frenzy. The second half was not short of action, as Saka scored again to extend England’s lead to four and bring on echoing chants of ‘it’s coming home!’

Joe, 26, who travelled from Carlisle to attend, said: “It was everything I could have hoped for, honestly. Brilliant result, brilliant atmosphere. I’m gutted that Kane didn’t get one but you can’t complain with that result!”

Adil Taremi scored a penalty in the dying embers to make it 6-2 at the full-time whistle, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the six thousand-strong, who sang songs of triumph as the full-time whistle rang.