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KATHRYN BATTE: The World Cup match between England and Wales was the friendliest ‘Battle of Britain’ in YEARS with plenty of chatter…although there were tight security checks after the field invader waved the Pride rainbow flag in Portugal’s victory over Uruguay
In years past, matches between England and Wales would see supporters fighting and brawling in the streets and halls.
But not on Tuesday night. This was perhaps the friendliest ‘Battle of Britain’ in recent times.
Maybe it’s because of the lack of alcohol in the stadiums, or maybe because the type of English fans who used to cause problems haven’t traveled to Qatar.
The World Cup match between England and Wales was the friendliest ‘Battle of Britain’ in years
There was a lot of chatter in a game where England won 3-0 against Wales
England are through to the next round, although Wales (pictured) have been eliminated
Even before the game, fans from both countries mingled tensely in pubs and bars.
The beer garden at the Radisson Hotel was packed, mostly England fans, but there were also a number of Wales shirts on display. The banter was jovial and cheerful, much like Gareth Bale giving Harry Kane a Wales hat before kick-off.
There were chants of ‘you’re going home tomorrow’ aimed at the outnumbered Wales fans, who responded by taunting England over their Euro 2020 final defeat. There was also one supporter who proudly told others that he had been fired for canceling his flight home to stay in Qatar for the duration of the tournament.
There has been no segregation of supporters at any of the matches of this World Cup. Everyone enters through the same gate to get to the area outside the stadium.
But after an Italian man burst onto the pitch with an LGBT rainbow flag during Portugal’s victory over Uruguay on Monday night, strict security checks took place before kick-off.
Fans had to have their flags checked upon arrival before being allowed to bring them into the stadium
A field substitute hung the Pride rainbow flag in the match between Portugal and Uruguay on Monday
Fans had their flags checked upon arrival and photos of each flag were taken and sent to a security manager on WhatsApp before a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was given. The checks caused only minor delays, but felt unnecessary.
Meanwhile, a man with a Scottish flag, who was asked several times if he lost because his country failed to qualify, seemed to have no problems.
The Welsh ‘Red Wall’ had their voices heard during the group stage and they loudly booed the England players as they came out to warm up and when they sang the Welsh national anthem the same thing happened on the other side of the stadium .
A Scottish flag between the flags of Wales at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar
While the two stands behind the goal were mainly white on one side and red on the other, there was a handful of mixing that caused minimal problems. Things only heated up briefly when a Welsh fan confronted an England supporter, but the lone man was quickly pulled away.
A group of fans wearing Republic of Ireland shirts cheered for Wales – the ‘everyone but England’ brigade was at full strength, but unsurprisingly they were full-time silent.
While the atmosphere was generally affable, it was better than what we’ve seen in most games at this World Cup. Previous competitions felt forced, with DJs instructing fans what to sing and when.
It helped that goals were scored, at least in the second half. But this was generally more natural – a real rivalry that needs no encouragement.