England fans outnumbered by Sweden supporters in Samara amid criticism over Russia World Cup ticketing

The England team can be pleased with their day’s work but there were few compatriots in Samara to watch them do it

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.

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.

A tie with the hosts would electrify an already dramatic tournament. Given the state of international relations – and the importance the fixture would carry for the Russians – the English may need a lot more than fake weapons and white costumes to progress to the promised land.