Football can be devastatingly cruel at times.
On Thursday afternoon in Lens, Welsh fans were reminded of that. Leading at half-time through a Gareth Bale free-kick, England substitutes Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge sent Chris Coleman’s team to defeat.
The equaliser came almost immediately after the break, with the Leicester forward scoring with his third touch. But it was Sturridge’s late goal that was hardest to take for the Welsh. With England dominating most of the second half, the game looked like ending all-square until the Liverpool man scored England’s winner in stoppage time.
Minutes before Sturridge’s winner, cameras picked out one Welsh fan in the crowd who was completely overcome with emotion. Realising the camera lens was trained on him, he fought back the tears and did his best to muster a few cheers.
Instantly, a hero was born…
The crying Wales fan just inspired a nation. Cardiff fanzone just ignited.
— I Loves The ‘Diff (@ILovesTheDiff) June 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/elenacresci/status/743454577412968448
That Wales fan is crying, too much passion so beautiful
— Yassine 🥷🏿 (@YassineFutbol) June 16, 2016
OMG CRYING WALES FAN IS AMAZING YOU LEGEND
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) June 16, 2016
Reminder – this was when the score was 1-1. We can only imagine what a fragile state this poor man was in when Sturridge toe-poked the winner beyond Wayne Hennessey.
The result may not have gone the way of his team, but you can’t help but love the passion this bloke showed.
