THOSE who say the domestic game is the pinnacle of football can't ever have been to a World Cup.

Watching England's first game alongside thousands of other fans at the FIFA fan fest is almost as good as cheering them on from the stands, and the melting pot of international optimism adds an ingredient that no league game can rival.

About 60,000 England fans are thought to be in Brazil this year, and many of those not fortunate enough to get tickets watch the matches on the huge screen on Copacabana beach.

As dusk descended over Rio's coastline England fans began to make their way into the fan park, stopping to pose with supporters of all nations and give the Italian contingent a few words of pre-match 'advice'.

And there were a few choice words issued in the direction of those working on the technical desk as the pre-match music continued playing over the majority of God Save The Queen, so it was decided the entire anthem must be re-sung without a seconds pause for the Italians to finish theirs.

Clothed in red and white and draped in the cross of St George, the England fans did their best to rival the vociferous Argentineans who had spent four hours singing and banging drums on the eve of their teams first match against Bosnia.

And it only took three minutes for the celebrations to begin as Raheem Sterling fired a long range shot into the side netting which the majority thought had landed in the top corner.

Luckily, there was an actual goal to celebrate not too long afterwards as Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Claudio Marchisio's effort and everyone was duly covered in beer.

But unfortunately as a full moon rose slowly over the Atlantic, former Premier League maverick Mario Balotelli had the last laugh and England fans trudged back off into Rio, graciously consoled by the locals.

But hope springs eternal in the hearts of England faithful and if the team can match this promising display when they play Uruguay there's every hope of an extended stay in Rio.