Back to Nashville for the 250 Independence Day Celebrations

Back in the minibus back to Nashville….

A 20 minute turnaround and straight out to watch the USA game followed by more drinks around Broadway.

An 06:30 start the next day, a classic American Breakfast and then a 4 hour off road adventure in 4×4 buggies across rural Tennessee. Another 20 minute shower and change (and dry out after torrential rain) then to Husk a very upmarket top restaurant in town then on to the craziest night on Broadway as the holiday weekend got going…

Then a boat out on the Cumberland River (picking us up on our private jetty) and out on to the lake. Swimming, beers, BBQs, Fireworks – an absolute belter of a day. One of the best in 40 years of watching England – despite a 04:00 start on Sunday to get to Mexico…

England v DR Congo, Atlanta

Stifling heat and humidity so the covered Atlanta Stadium was very welcome. A noon kick off meant no long lunch too (although we were on the beers by 09:30). Could have been a disaster but somehow Harry Kane rescued us as we managed to beat Doctor Congo!

Match Report

England 2–1 DR Congo
World Cup Round of 32 – Atlanta

• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
• Attendance: 68,239

Brief match summary
England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2–1 after a nervy display. DR Congo shocked them early through Brian Cipenga, and England struggled for long spells against a very organised side. Harry Kane then rescued it late on with two goals in the final quarter of the match to send England through to the last 16.  

Goalscorers

• 7’ – Brian Cipenga (DR Congo)
• 75’ – Harry Kane (England)
• 86’ – Harry Kane (England)  

England starting XI
Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.  

DR Congo starting XI
Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngal’ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku; Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa.  

England substitutes used

• 61’ – Anthony Gordon for Marcus Rashford
• 61’ – Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke
• 70’ – Eberechi Eze for Djed Spence
• 81’ – Morgan Rogers for Elliot Anderson
• 81’ – Curtis Jones for Declan Rice  

Atlanta Road Trip

Around a 4 hour drive down to Atlanta from Nashville (a bit longer with loo stops and lunch at the famous Buc-ee’s with the largest gas station we have ever seen).

Armed with a massive cooler full of iced beers we battled the traffic and arrived at our 72 storey hotel – and then straight out on the beers to the nearest dive bar with great live music and lots of Oasis once again…