Christmas is just around the corner and England are in the quarter-finals of the World Cup

THE pounding rhythm of Freed From Desire filled the clammy desert air and Bud Zero’s plastic cups were hurled into the sky.

The stadium at Al Khor echoed with a “Eng-ger-land, Eng-ger-land” wall of noise.

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After nearly 40 minutes of incessant Senegalese drumming, it was England who made the noise as Jordan Henderson opened the scoring.

Close your eyes and it was like Wembley in the sand as the Three Lions roared past their African opponents.

Freed From Desire, Gala’s eurodance hit, is the tune played by England when they find the net in Qatar.

After Henderson’s opener, Three Lions fans changed the lyrics and chanted, “Hendo burn, your defenses scared.”

Goals either side of the half-time break from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka eased any tension the Three Lions supporters might have had and the party could begin.

As the clock ticked towards full-time, there was a chorus of jingle bells saying, “Oh what fun it is to see England win.”

There were even a few Santa hats in the crowd.

Christmas is just around the corner and England are in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

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