'Back with her hero': England's WAGs and children cheer Three Lions to victory in rainy New York with sweet signs as players join families in the stands after the match

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England’s WAGs cheered through the Three Lions to victory last night as players snuggled up to their children following the team’s comfortable World Cup win.

Megan Pickford and Ellie Watkins were among the loyal wives and girlfriends out in full force while the squad beat Panama 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Jordan Pickford’s wife had made no small show of support as her children were decked out in football shirts that said ‘Daddy’, clutching homemade posters that read ‘love you dad’ with beloved images of the goalkeeper.

But it was an adorable image Ms Pickford shared in the aftermath of the game that really captured hearts, where the footballer father could be seen cuddling their three-year-old daughter, Ostara.

Ms Pickford captioned the photo: ‘Back with her hero.’

It came as Pickford managed to keep a clean sheet in the match after Panama was disallowed a goal in extra time by the infamous offside flag.

Also in the audience was Declan Rice’s girlfriend Lauren Fryer who sat by her son Jude, 3.

In one sweet photo, Rice could be seen smiling and joking with Jude, fresh from the game.

England's WAGs cheered through their partners to victory last night - sharing sweet snaps of their families in the stands

England’s WAGs cheered through their partners to victory last night – sharing sweet snaps of their families in the stands

In one sweet photo Ms Pickford celebrated with an image of her husband and their daughter, Ostara

In one sweet photo Ms Pickford celebrated with an image of her husband and their daughter, Ostara

Megan joked on Wednesday she may resort to wearing her seven-year-old son's England shirt to the match after her suitcase failed to make it to the US

Megan joked on Wednesday she may resort to wearing her seven-year-old son’s England shirt to the match after her suitcase failed to make it to the US

However, perhaps the biggest winner overall was Ashlyn Castro – as she celebrated another Jude, her boyfriend Jude Bellingham, who emerged as the hero of the match.

In a single celebratory video taken from the stands she filmed Bellingham as he soaked in the applause to the Beatles’ classic Hey Jude.

The midfielder had reprised his role as England’s saviour as he stepped up in the 61st minute – poking in a goal swung by Bukayo Saka in a corner.

And only a few minutes later, he set up England’s second for Harry Kane.

Celebrations appeared to already be in full swing ahead of the game – as Ms Pickford shared a proud snap to social media of her husband pictured in Times Square in New York.

The game itself saw lots of rain but also a great photo opportunity for some of the WAGs, such as Ellie Watkins, who managed to still look good as she donned a raincoat in the stands.

There had been worried looks among England fans after an hour had elapsed in the game with the scores goalless.

Thomas Tuchel was, once again, doing his best impression of the haunted figure in Edvard Munch’s painting, The Scream. 

The WAGs could hardly contain their excitement as they celebrated in the stands after England's whirlwind World Cup game yesterday night against Panama. Ellie Watkins and Magan Pickford are seen celebrating here

The WAGs could hardly contain their excitement as they celebrated in the stands after England’s whirlwind World Cup game yesterday night against Panama. Ellie Watkins and Magan Pickford are seen celebrating here

Megan Pickford, wife of Jordan Pickford, clutches her children as she wears a New York cap in the stadium

Megan Pickford, wife of Jordan Pickford, clutches her children as she wears a New York cap in the stadium

Two wives are seen together here - Ellie Watkins and Megan Pickford as they watch on from the stands

Two wives are seen together here – Ellie Watkins and Megan Pickford as they watch on from the stands

Declan Rice celebrates with his girlfriend Lauren Fryer and family members following the 2-0 win

Declan Rice celebrates with his girlfriend Lauren Fryer and family members following the 2-0 win

In one adorable photo, Rice could be seen smiling and joking with his son Jude fresh from the game

In one adorable photo, Rice could be seen smiling and joking with his son Jude fresh from the game

But perhaps the biggest winner overall Ashlyn Castro - as she celebrated another Jude, her boyfriend Jude Bellingham, who emerged as the hero of the game

But perhaps the biggest winner overall Ashlyn Castro – as she celebrated another Jude, her boyfriend Jude Bellingham, who emerged as the hero of the game

Ollie Watkins celebrates with friends and family after the match

Ollie Watkins celebrates with friends and family after the match

The game itself saw lots of rain but also a great photo opportunity for some of the WAGs, such as Ellie Watkins

The game itself saw lots of rain but also a great photo opportunity for some of the WAGs, such as Ellie Watkins

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England beat Panama but Thomas Tuchel has a big problem he can’t ignore

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‘We lack subtlety, we lack creativity, we lack innovation,’ Gary Neville said on television.

But the eventual 2-0 victory carried England to the knockout stages – leaving them top of the group and their WAGs on top of the world.

The match came after a great start for the Three Lions after they beat Croatia 4-2 in their first game.

Ahead of the game Ms Pickford also took to Instagram to pose in her red England shirt before sitting in the stands with son Arlo, seven, and daughter Ostara, three.

It comes as WAG Ms Watkins posted a hilarious update after her wardrobe malfunction earlier this week – telling her eager followers she has been bra shopping.

Ms Watkins, 30, wife of Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins forgot to pack her vital underwear when she went to the Ghana game in Boston.

It led to her describing the day as a ‘nightmare’ and she had to change her ‘planned summery outfit’ because of the miserable rainy weather.

As a result, she swapped her wardrobe for a white tank top, jeans and a red jacket topped off with an England baseball cap – she even jokingly had a dig at Roy Keane and asked if he ‘approved’ following his criticism of WAGs wearing shirts with their partner’s name on them.

Ms Watkins, 30, wife of Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins forgot to pack her vital underwear when she went to the Ghana game in Boston

Ms Watkins, 30, wife of Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins forgot to pack her vital underwear when she went to the Ghana game in Boston

Megan Pickford gave her children sweet outfits to wear including red football shirts that said 'daddy' on the back

Megan Pickford gave her children sweet outfits to wear including red football shirts that said ‘daddy’ on the back

But on Wednesday after flying into New York from Boston she posted an update on her social media cheekily telling fans she had ‘got the goods’ as she posted a picture of mannequins wearing bras, adding a laughing emoji.

Other WAGS in New York included John Stones’s wife Olivia, Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson and Bellingham’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro as some of them hit the trendy city night spot Somewhere Nowhere in the heart of Manhattan this week.

The eclectic 39th floor night spot, with its $20 cocktails, features a lounge, nightclub and rooftop pool in a wonderland setting and is popular with A-list stars including Cardi B and Jaden Smith.

Wives, girlfriends and family members had opted not to fly back to their Florida HQ given the short turn around between games and to instead stay in New York flying down there on Wednesday.

Within hours of arriving Ms Pickford had hit the shops and paid a visit to the Louis Vuitton store in Manhattan where she bought the $660 green wallet decorated with a football pitch and players in red and blue strips.

On its website Louis Vuitton describes the cowhide wallet as bringing a ‘dynamic touch’ and Ms Pickford said on her social media: ‘Bought husband a special World Cup wallet.’

Other images she posted on Instagram showed her shopping in Christian Dior and taking the couple’s children for a traditional New York corn dog snack.

Thousands of England fans flooded into the city for the team’s final group game and to cheer them on into the knockout stages.

Flights from UK were sold out as die-hard fans crossed the Atlantic for the game at New York’s Met Life stadium, which kicked off at 5pm local or 10pm in England.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Keir Starmer also celebrated last night’s victory on X.

He said: ‘Yes England! Qualified into the knockout stages.’

England’s next game – against DR Congo – will take place next Wednesday.




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