Why Panama are partying like they've won the Cup
It's easy to feel sorry for Panama after their 6-1 drubbing at the hands of England, but the fans have something to cheer about.
Monday 25 June 2018 04:20, UK
The midges didn't stop them in Volgograd and the 32C (90F) heat hasn't stopped them in Nizhny Novgorod.
Poor Panama. This was a rout - England scoring with all the regularity of a pendulum in the first half.
It was 5-0 at half time.
All the boys needed to do then was sit back and relax, confident of a place in the knockout stages, though not before the last goal of a hat-trick from the golden-footed Harry Kane.
:: England through to knockout stage of World Cup
Panama scored once in the 78th minute - their first-ever World Cup goal - and they're partying like they've walked away with the trophy.
"How d'you like the way we're celebrating?" I was asked by one fan waving a camera in my face.
Terrific. This is carnival, a Panamian fiesta, the greatest show on earth.
They're not going to let the matter of almost total annihilation on the pitch get to them.
England fans are outnumbered by the Panamians but there are more here than there were in Volgograd.
And what a game to watch - Gareth Southgate's young and approachable team now firmly anchored in the hearts of the nation.
They looked in control, they looked like they were enjoying themselves, it looked like they had a plan.
Long may it last.
And, once again, almost in chorus, every fan will tell you what a warm, enthusiastic, astonishing welcome they've had from the Russians.
"We cannot thank the Russians enough," said Paul Conroy from Liverpool.
"Boris Johnson doesn't know what he's talking about."
In contrast to other nations here, England fans have tried for the main to keep a low profile.
Lots say they now regret not bringing their families or encouraging more of their friends to travel.
They say the government did little more than scaremonger ahead of the games.
I ask Mr Conroy if he has a message for Russia's president, given his enthusiasm for the country's people.
"Politics is a different thing," he says.
"This is a festival of football, for ordinary people."
This World Cup is going terrifically well for England, for the Russian national team and therefore by default for the Russian president too.
He knows how to throw a good party when he wants to.
And this is one.