A last-minute winner no doubt helped, but England’s day out in Volgograd passed without major incident, with visiting fans praising a particularly warm reception from their hosts.

The anticipation that political tensions might spill into trouble had, however, a major impact on the travelling numbers. Inside the stadium, a number of seats were empty. Earlier in the day in the fan zone built in the Square of Fallen Fighters near the Volga River, the red-shirted throngs of Tunisia fans outnumbered, outsang and outdanced the England fans.

The African nation had reason to be happy: they were taking part in the World Cup for the first time in twelve years.

Most of the English fans blamed the low attendance for a 2-1 win on what they described as alarmist press stories. The ones who travelled were the brave, said James Pemble, 22, a long-time supporter from Kent: “My friends said no way they would do Russia after what they read.”

James Lockett, 43, told The Independent that he had been unprepared for the respectful welcome he received in the city formerly known as Stalingrad, calling everyone “nothing but friendly”.

He said he was motivated to learn a lot about the city in return. He planned to visit the city’s memorial complex to the victims of the fight to liberate Stalingrad, the Second World War’s bloodiest battle.

Some of the English fans in Volgograd recalled the events in Marseilles in 2016 first hand. Ernie Bradshaw, a golden toothed, golden tanned gentleman from east London, smiled as he confirmed he was “close to the action” that day. But he said that what happened in France was “history.” He had nothing but praise for his Russian hosts, who were “lovely people”.

Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Show all 25 1 /25 Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia vs England: Player ratings We run the rule over the two teams. Getty Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Tunisia Getty Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Mouez Hassen - 5 out of 10 The young goalkeeper made a couple of tremendous early saves before disaster struck with injury and England's opener. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Dylan Bronn - 6 Pinned back for long periods, he made one impressive burst down the flank that had the England defence panicked. AFP/Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Syam Ben Youssef - 6 Defended staunchly throughout by whatever means he deemed necessary. AFP/Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Yassine Meriah - 6 Another who gave everything in attempting to keep England out, but ultimately came up short. Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ali Maaloul - 4 The left-back struggled to keep pace with Trippier, Sterling and Loftus-Cheek on a difficult night. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ellyes Skhiri - 5 Found it difficult when England committed men forward, but recycled possession neatly on the occasions Tunisia took charge of the ball. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Fakhereedine Ben Youssef - 6 Made the most of Walker's challenge to win Tunisia's penalty, he showed a willingness to get into the box when needed. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ferjani Sassi - 7 Tunisia's goalscorer, he was spot on from 12 yards and did much to protect his defence in the barrage that followed. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Naim Sliti - 6 The most impressive Tunisian from an attacking perspective although he was wayward with one shot and was ultimately sacrificed for a more defensively-minded player. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Anice Badri - 4 Overrun in the middle, he offered little cover for his defence and even less support to the forwards. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Wahbi Khazri - 4 The Sunderland player struggled to make an impact up front before making way for Khalifa late on. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings England Getty Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jordan Pickford - 6 Close to keeping out a decent spotkick on an otherwise quiet evening for the young goalkeeper. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Kyle Walker - 6 Fielded in that unfamiliar centre-back role, he was perhaps unfortunate to concede a first half penalty. Otherwise steady and still threatened on a couple of those trademark runs. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings John Stones - 7 More of an aerial presence in the opposition box than his own, his thumping early header led to Kane's opener. AFP/Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Harry Maguire - 7 A couple of moments of lapsed concentration, but the defender continues to impress on the international stage. Happy to carry the ball forward when England needed creative inspiration. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jordan Henderson - 7 An influential figure in midfield, who consistently picked out Trippier and Young on either wing with short and long passes. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Kieran Trippier - 8 A constant threat, both with set-pieces and when he bombarded down the right. A cool head in defence too. Getty Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Jesse Lingard - 7 His work rate and movement was exceptional, his finishing less so. Faded in the second half. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Dele Alli - 5 Appeared to pick up a knock early on that hampered his movement, but remained on until the 80th minute. Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Ashley Young - 5 Still looks awkward in the left wing-back position, constantly cutting back on to his right foot. Made some questionable decisions in his defending. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Raheem Sterling - 6 Began the game full of pace and intent, but lost belief after a couple of early misses and was eventually subbed. FIFA via Getty Images Tunisia vs England: Player ratings Harry Kane - 9 Two goals from the England captain, the second an injury time winner to show off his goalpoaching prowess on the international stage. Getty Images

Those events in France provoked a clampdown by Russian police. Firm leaders became subject to surveillance, home visits and regular warnings. As a result, there was little expectation of major violence from organised hooligan groups.

Mr Bradshaw had not seen any fighting before the game, or at least not with any Russians. There had been a “minor altercation” with another fan from Liverpool, he admitted, and that was why his shirt was covered in beer.

Earlier in the day, Russian police reported that two English fans had been arrested and thrown off a train on the way to Volgograd. At least one of the men had tried to punch a hole in a glass door, authorities suggested. His efforts left him with laceration injuries to his fist.

England fans celebrate after beating Tunisia in first game at Russia 2018 World Cup

But such violence was the exception rather than the rule today. The two sets of fans interacted with one another, and with the locals, in a good natured and well-disposed manner. Many Russians had come to the fan zone wearing English shirts — club and country. Some of the natives even joined in the England chanting. Pockets of English fans responded in kind with their own chants of “Putin, Putin.”

Earlier in the day, an English delegation headed by the FA chief Greg Clarke and deputy ambassador Lindsay Skoll visited the complex to lay a wreath in honour of the war dead.

“The Stalingrad thing really puts things into perspective,” Mr Lockett said. “People are people, and ordinary Russian fans have nothing to do with the current tensions [between Russia and the UK].”

Alex Pierce, 19, from Frodsham, Cheshire, agreed. But he said the warm reception had “weirded” him out. It was almost too friendly.