‘That’s the passion we need heading to the World Cup’: England fans hail team’s fighting spirit

England head to the World Cup buoyed by a smashing comeback against Germany and fans believe the team has shown exactly the spirit they need to succeed in Qatar.

A late error by Nick Pope meant Gareth Southgate’s side under fire had to make do with a 3-3 draw, but they were 2-0 with less than 20 minutes to go.

Goals from Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane turned things around and revived a fan base that has had little to cheer about since Euro 2020.

England supporters applauded on social media after the game.

That’s the passion we need to get to the World Cup,” one wrote while another tweeted “funny what a little passion and desire can do for a team.”

Among the favorites to triumph in Qatar, after reaching the semi-finals four years ago and finishing second at last summer’s European Championship, hope and optimism have seeped away in recent months.

England were relegated from the top division of the Nations League after Friday’s loss to Italy and the pressure on Southgate and Harry Maguire appeared to be mounting after Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty and a stunning attack from Kai Havertz.

But the hosts showed the kind of resilience and ruthlessness their manager asked for as they built up in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd that didn’t turn on the group.

Luke Shaw scored England’s first open play goal in this Nations League campaign to bring hope, with substitute Mason Mount knocking home a leveler eight minutes after they went two goals behind.

Wembley bounced and the sound went up a few notches as Harry Kane drove in an 83rd-minute penalty after Nico Schlotterbeck’s foul on Jude Bellingham, but there was no return to winning manners.

Havertz tapped in after reserve goalkeeper Pope spilled a shot from Serge Gnabry, meaning England went to Qatar without a win in six, but boosted by a much-needed show of skill and spirit.

It is only 56 days until Group B’s opening game against Iran.