IT WAS the moment the fans went wild.

An ear-splitting roar drowned out every other sound in the pub as England’s last-gasp goal against Tunisia ensured their World Cup campaign got off to the best possible start.

Jubilant supporters at The Saints pub in Southampton raised their arms in celebration and stamped their feet in unison.

One of them clapped as TV screens showed England boss Gareth Southgate savouring the implications of the squad’s second goal.

Despite reservations about several aspects of the team’s performance, the fans went home happy following England’s 2-1 victory. Some even dared hope that the squad could win football’s greatest tournament.

Thoughts are already turning to the squad’s next game – the match against Panama on Sunday.

Last night’s eagerly-anticipated fixture was watched in pubs across Hampshire, including The Saints.

Scores of supporters packed into the bar as England prepared to take the first steps on the road to either international glory or humiliating defeat.

The next two hours were dominated by roller-coaster emotions as the game went first one way and then the other.

A deafening roar greeted England’s first goal 11 minutes into the game.

But not everyone realised what had just happened. As the cheers died down one fan turned to another and said: “I thought we were in white – obviously not.”

Later, elation turned to despair as Tunisia equalised with a penalty.

Two of the fans were happy to indulge in good-natured wrestling as the evening wore on, but others stared intently at the screens as England edged towards their eventual victory.

The players saved the best till last, with Harry Kane scoring the second of his two goals.

Here is what fans had to say:

Jake Long, 27, a roofer from Southampton, said: "A win's a win. I think England are going to go all the way."

Martyn Randall, 31, an electrician from Lordshill, said: "We could have done a lot better. Substitutions could have been made a bit earlier, and our ball retention was terrible."

Gary Getts, 34, a scaffolder from Lordshill, said "Our performance was awful - they should have scored more goals. I don't think we will get out of the group stage."

Perry Potts, 23, a scaffolder from Millbrook, said: "It was really good a see England get a result late on. Normally luck never goes our way."

Pete Lewis, 59, a warehouse worker from Southampton, said: "We got out of jail at the end. I think we will progress and get better as a team."

Rich Caddick, 48, a marine trade employee from Lymington, said: "It was a typical England game. We missed so many chances."