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(CNN) – Their vuvuzelas echoed in the skyscrapers of South London on a balmy evening reminiscent of a summer in Bogota than in the British capital.
This is what happens when a city stops to watch the World Cup, when the streets are empty and the bars and restaurants fill up.
In Elephant and Castle, a not so quiet district of London on Tuesday, a sea of yellow shirts in a small Colombian restaurant – La Bodeguita – was nervously watching.
Despite a 1-0 loss to England in a World Cup final of the World Cup in 16th minute, spectators were about to leave the competition.
According to recent estimates, 70,000 Colombians live in the United Kingdom, the majority of whom are South Americans living in London.
When Yerry Mina went home, the last Colombian blast equalizer and the sea of yellow jerseys burst, it seemed that most of them had gathered at La Bodeguita.
Colombian shirts dominate the surrounding streets – Elephant and Castle is known for its large Latin community – but some English fans made their way through the crowd.
"It's amazing, I feel such a sense of national pride," said Hugo, 38, at CNN Sport. "It does not matter if I'm in London today, I still feel Colombian."
Close to the Lost Rivers pub in Castle Square, hundreds of Colombians were lining up just to try to enter.
"It's such a special moment for Colombia and Colombian football," said Juan, a 21-year-old. "As a Colombian living in London, playing against England is even more special … and I think we will win"
They did not do it. After 30 minutes of agonizing overtime, the penalty shootout was decided, Jordan Pickford getting a great save from Carlos Bacca, before Eric Dier scored the decisive goal.
Quiet Streets, Noisy Pubs
Earlier on Tuesday, the streets around Soho, which are generally packed with shoppers and tourists, were strangely quiet.
The only people who revolved around, it seemed, were the desperate fans of England to find a pretty empty pub to let them in.
"Sorry, we are full," was the answer more than a few were greeted with. They would run off, hoping to find another bar in time for the kick off.
In East London, at the trendy Flat Iron Square, fans were well oiled before the game started.
When Harry Kane scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, the sky suddenly rained alcohol.
Elsewhere, eminent religious figures and royalty wanted in England.
"I beg you with all my heart to calm down and keep your cool!" tweeted John Sentamu, Archbishop of York.
"Sad, the Referee did not go into the control zone (VAR), but please threaten with your ball!
Prince William, tweeting the account of Kensington Palace, wrote: "I could not be more proud of England – a victory in a penalty shootout!
"You have won your place in the last eight of the World Cup and you should know that the whole country is behind you for Saturday!
"It's coming home"
Since the beginning of the World Cup, there have been three words on all the lips of English fans: "He's coming home".
In the era of memes and satirical videos, the saying is often tinged with a hint of sarcasm, but it remains an underlying belief that this team from England is different from its recent predecessors.
The phrase comes from the official slogan of the Euro 1996 "Football Comes Home", in reference to the modern game invented in England, and was popularized by the single "Three Lions" – written by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner – which was published the same year.
England coach Gareth Southgate, who played 57 times for his country, breathed life into the national team. His style and approach, both on the field and on the outside, have earned him much applause.
Finished turgid football that has upset England in recent years, Southgate openly encouraging its stars to express themselves with a more expansive and entertaining style.
It does not hurt that nearly half of the team plays its football club in Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool, three of the most exciting teams in the English Premier League.
His off-camera behavior also differs, with Southgate openly discussing a whole series of political topics with the media, ranging from Britain's tense relationship with Russia in the light of Salisbury's poisoning to Impact of the debate on Brexit.
This current English team is one of the most diverse in history and Southgate spoke with pride of how his young team reflects the current society.
"It's one of the most important things for me if we manage to do it," Southgate told ITV. "We are lucky to have something bigger than us.
"We are a team with our diversity and our youth that represents modern England. In England we spent a little time getting lost on what is modern identity.
"I think that as a team we represent this modern identity and hope that people will be able to communicate with us."
This also helped to establish a connection between the team and the country.
"I mean, look at us, wherever you go tonight, that's London, you do not have a more diverse place in the country," said Gary, a fan of England watching the match on Carnaby Street in central London.
"Wherever you go, we are all together, football brings people together."
The establishment of a darts game "Players vs.. Regular press with the traveling English media may seem like a trivial exercise, but that's part of Southgate's efforts to improve the relationship between the national team and the media.
"He handled the media very well, he lowered expectations," says Kieran, a fan of England who is also watching the match at Soho. "He's doing a good job.
"The press has been appalling (over the years), either growing in strength, or in England, it is one or the other, they can not make up their minds.
"They sensationalized me, I do not really read the newspapers, they just build us to overthrow, they pushed us to take the easiest route (the second place behind Belgium) and then it was criticized for have played a B team! "
"You support the country where you are not," adds his friend Matthew.
The excitement of a new England is certainly palpable in the streets, where fans feel that something big might be on the horizon.
However, for a country that has won just three knockout games in 28 years – including Tuesday's game against Colombia – even reaching the semifinals would be a success.
Sweden now stands between England and a first World Cup semifinal since 1990.
"It was more enjoyable because we played well," Kieran adds. "The last World Cups or Euros, they played badly and you did not like watching them.
"It's the youngest team we've had in a while, there's less pressure on them, if they're in the semifinals, I'll be happy."
Although people try not to let their emotions take over, they can not help saying those words.
"I think we can bring him home," says Gary. "I think we can."
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