Harry Kane celebrated his winning second goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo with a ferocity to match the magnitude of his feat.
Ripping at his shirt, he roared into the crowd with bared teeth and a primal glint in his eye.
But just minutes later, after the final whistle blew, England’s embattled warrior retreated to the stands for an entirely more tender moment.
Sweet photos show the captain holding his two-year-old son Henry aloft and beaming with pride as he gazed into the toddler’s eyes.
He was also spotted debriefing with his wife, Katie Goodland, who no doubt was oozing with pride for her husband.
Harry later showed off his Man of the Match award to his children – with all four of them gathered around.
The whole Kane clan then grouped together for a photo, with Harry’s daughters Ivy, nine, Vivienne, seven, and sons Louis, five, and Henry all smiling for the camera.
Anthony Gordon, who came on as a sub in the 61st minute and went on to assist both of Kane’s goals, also shared a touching moment with his family.
He had kisses for his young son, also two-years-old, who wore an England kit with ‘Daddy’ on the back, and for his long-term partner Annie Keating.
Harry Kane lifted his two-year-old son aloft and beamed as he gazed into his eyes after securing victory for England
Harry Kane showed off his Man of the Match award to his wife and children
The superstar captain gave his wife, Katie Goodland, a relieved kiss after clinching the match for England
The whole of the Kane family posed for a photo, with one of the star’s daughters clutching his Man of the Match award
Anthony Gordon kissed long-term partner Annie Keating, while clutching their two-year-old son
Jude Bellingham, who alongside Kane has been instrumental for England in the competition, wrapped his arms around girlfriend Ashlyn Castro, 28.
The England number ten, who turned 23 on Tuesday, also gave his mother Denise a tight hug.
Bukayo Saka greeted both his girlfriend, Tolami Benson, and his mother Kemi in the stands.
Keeper Jordan Pickford, who managed to contain the damage to a single conceded goal in the seventh minute, sat down with his wife Megan Davison and family.
In the end, it was two goals from the captain that snatched victory from the jaws of looming humiliation against minnows the DR of Congo.
The African side dubbed The Leopards and ranked 35th in the world had spent most of the bad-tempered match thrashing the Three Lions 1-0.
The 2-1 victory sets up a round-of-16 crunch showdown against Mexico – in Mexico City, at their home stadium the Azteca, scene of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal.
It will be a seismic event unlike anything England has seen so far in this World Cup.
Jude Bellingham, 23, wrapped his arms around girlfriend Ashlyn Castro, 28
The England number ten also gave his mother Denise a tight hug
Ashlyn flashed a winning grin as she chatted with her boyfriend and two other pals
Bukayo Saka chatting with his girlfriend, Tolami Benson, who he has been in a relationship with for around six years
Saka also shared a hug with his mother, Kemi
Jordan Pickford with his wife Megan Davison, wearing a green themed England top
Ivan Toney, who was a surprise pic for Tuchel’s 26-man team at the World Cup, holds his child alongside girlfriend Katie Bio
More than a million Mexico fans took to the streets when their team beat Ecuador earlier this week with four people dying during the wild celebrations.
Last night millions watched in agony at home along with tens of thousands in the Atlanta Stadium as Congo got their goal after just six minutes – then roared when saviour Kane turned the team’s fortunes.
It was a nail-biting hour before his miracle rescued his sinking side with a sensational header to level the score. Then he blasted a second goal home minutes later.
On the final whistle, nerve-shredded fans went wild with excitement, belting out Wonderwall and ‘Football’s Coming Home’ in the vast air-conditioned stadium.
Retired Civil servant David Delves, 60, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: ‘Kane is able! What a second goal that was. Unstoppable.’
Company director Michael Nobes, 64, from Portsmouth, added: ‘Crikey, they do put you through a lot of stress, I didn’t think my heart would hold out. Harry Kane, wow, just amazing – onto Mexico now.’
Supporter Mark Perkins, 45, from Liverpool, said: Harry came up with the goods again, he is Mr Dependable, Mexico in Mexico City will be a very different game, a lot harder.’
Glen Harris, 66, from Lincoln, said: ‘We are here now – and going all the way to the final. I have booked six weeks and want to see us win the World Cup.’
Dominic Webb, 34, a software designer of Swindon, Wiltshire, said: ‘I’ll be dancing on the ceiling tonight, just buzzing.
‘My whole trip – and it’s cost absolutely thousands – has been, for me, about getting to Mexico. Playing against Mexico in Mexico is going to be a complete dream.’
The victory means England fans face a wallet-busting scramble for flights and tickets to the Mexican capital for Sunday night’s game, which will kick off at 1am on Monday UK time.
Hundreds of pubs are applying for ultra-late licences to show to allow punters to pull all-nighters, with the potential for a 4am finish if the game goes to extra time and penalties.
Employers are bracing for a ‘mass sickie event’ next Monday morning as bleary-eyed workers sleep off the match.
Boxpark venues in Croydon, Wembley, Liverpool, Camden and Shoreditch are among hundreds of venues to obtain temporary licence extensions to give drinkers lots of extra time.
Other venues face a ‘Mexican standoff’ with jobsworth council officials. Although ministers have given pubs free rein to allow drinkers extra time during the World Cup knockout stages, that does not apply to kick-offs as late at 1am.
Individual venues wishing to open that late must apply to their local licencing authorities for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
Officials have the power to block pubs from serving so late, meaning a likely standoff in some areas where locals do not want the noise and hassle of an all-night party.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ‘We remain in close contact with Government about concerns raised by publicans who want to show the match but haven’t got [temporary licences] in place. It would be a crying shame for fans and pubs if our locals weren’t able to host such an important match.’
There are no published figures for how many pubs have applied for a TEN, and most venues will be waiting for the outcome of the round-of-16 match against Congo on Wednesday before applying.
But based on previous tournaments, it is likely that around 3,000 of the UK’s 46,000 pubs will ask to stay open late.
The first two-thirds of last night’s match were desperate for England. Fans had their heads in the hands after just six minutes when 28-year-old Congo winger Brian Cipenga sliced the ball past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
DRC fans – vastly outnumbered by England supporters – went wild, filling the stadium with noise and dancing and singing in the stands.
In a nightmare first half, Jude Bellingham got a yellow card for a poor tackle and captain Harry Kane was denied a penalty after being flattened on his way to the Congo goal.
The DRC then almost got a second goal but hit the post, while shots on target by Bellingham and Kane were both saved by the Congo goalie.
The belated win was a relief for England’s sweating army of travelling supporters.
They had followed the team on a 5,000-mile odyssey, from their sensational first game in Dallas, beating Croatia 4-2, then the draw with Ghana in Boston and New York for the 2-0 defeat of Panama.
