Dressed in unseasonal St George’s outfits, Didi Murray, Miles Rudham and John Nicholson had come to Samara ready for battle. They even had the pretend swords. But the dragon had long been slain as far as they were concerned. Now was showtime.

“Harry Kane hat-trick,” says Miles. “And I’m a Tottenham fan.”

“4-1,” agrees Didi. “The Colombian one was always the hard one – we knew they wouldn’t play by the book.”

The eventual scoreline fell short of both predictions, but England can be very pleased with their day’s work. Their clinical 2-0 victory sees them in their first World Cup semi-final for 18 years.

Not that there were many compatriots in Samara to see them do it. Put off by the cost, logistics and fear of travelling to Russia, the England following was confined to one lower side of the stadium.

They were even outsung by the locals on several occasions, with chants of “Ros-Si-Ya” being a high point of a flat first half atmosphere. Only with the scent of victory near did the English really awaken.

England fans celebrate in the stands during the Fifa World Cup, Quarter Final match at the Samara Stadium (PA)

Things, of course, were hardly helped by a half-empty stadium. With an official attendance at the glamorous Samara Arena some 5,000 below capacity, questions must surely now be asked of Fifa’s organisation. Thousands of tickets were released very late on: could they have been put on sale earlier? Could the tickets have been given away locally?

The exit of Colombia played its role. Many of their religious Latinos had bought tickets in the hope they would be playing Sweden; not all those tickets will have resold. Some Colombians – and even Germans, too – were to be seen wandering around Samara regardless.

But there were also individual tales of heroic – read rash – journeys by England supporters desperate to witness a “historical event”.

There were Tom Hayes and Jim Cooper, both 28, who had spent £1,700 flying first-class from London via Istanbul. They enjoyed the three courses and the extra-strong gin, but they have decided to limit accommodation to a £20 hostel.

Wild celebrations after England make semi-final Show all 12 1 /12 Wild celebrations after England make semi-final Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate at the end of the match after England win in the England V Sweden quarter final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate at the end of the match after England win in the England V Sweden quarter final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate at the end of the match after England win in the England V Sweden quarter final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans sign during the England V Sweden quater final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate at the end of the match after England win in the England V Sweden quater final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate after England score their second goal in the England V Sweden quater final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final Fans celebrating outside the Bedford pub in Balham, south west London, following England's 2-0 victory over Sweden in the World Cup quarter-final. PA Wild celebrations after England make semi-final England football fans celebrate after England scored the first goal in the England V Sweden quater final match in the FIFA 2018 World Cup Finals at Croydon Boxpark Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final People dance on a NHS ambulance as fans celebrate in the street beside Borough Market after England's win over Sweden in the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match AFP/Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final People dance in the street beside Borough Market after England's win over Sweden in the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match, in London AFP/Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final A man is drenched in champagne in the street beside Borough Market as England fans celebrate their win over Sweden in the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match AFP/Getty Wild celebrations after England make semi-final An England soccer fan climbs up a lamppost as fans celebrate on the streets below, in the London Bridge area of London after England won their quarterfinal match against Sweden at the 2018 soccer World Cup. AP

Another party of four had flown in from Orlando, Florida, after deciding late on Tuesday night. Tickets had them cost more than $2,000 (£1,500) apiece.

As England move one step closer to a final in Moscow’s Luzhniki, there are likely to be many more tales of recklessness in the days to come. And perhaps in the city of Samara tonight.

Sometime in the next few hours, England fans will discover which of Russia or Croatia they will play next.