Heartache in Trafalgar Square

GALLERY: England v Brazil

At last, they thought, they could dare to dream. Then along came Rivaldo and Ronaldinho to spoil it all.

For 46 glorious minutes hundreds of England fans in Trafalgar Square staged an English carnival of football to match that of Rio for passion. But when 11 Brazilians decided to gatecrash the festivities the party suddenly went flat.

The fans had come swathed in red and white, some sporting David Beckham tribute haircuts, others Bobby Charlton wigs, to watch this quarter-final on a giant screen erected in the square.

As the country turned to its television sets the fans gathered around Nelson's Column took up a full throated cry of "Ingerland".

Philip Parsons, 23, from Margate, said: "If we can win this one we can win the whole thing, but really this is the final."

Then Owen scored, as everyone knew he would. The screams and cheers echoed across the square. Willing England on to a second the crowds cheered every Campbell block, every Heskey run and every Beckham pass.

Then disaster. There was only one thing that would ever silence this lot and it came in the 47th minute. Rivaldo's stunning equaliser was greeted with groans.

England are nothing if not defiant, the fans reassured each other. "We were playing great until the last minute of the half," said Richard Stevens, 25, from Wimbledon, during the break. "We can still win but we've got to do something." Someone did, but unfortunately it was a Brazilian. Ronaldinho put the South Americans ahead within minutes. Now all were silent.

Up on the giant screen Big Ron Atkinson urged England to play with some more "zip". Anxious faces around the square echoed his words. Every inch of space was taken. Fans straddled the lions, others gathered on the steps of the National Gallery. Passersby, reluctant to go to work, lingered for a view of the action.

But England's dream was dying in front of them. Only the appearance of Sheringham brought the crowds to life. By now it was too late, however.

Their passion gone, applause was all that was left as the final whistle blew and their idols trudged off the pitch.

Applause more for England's previous stirring game perhaps, than for the way they faded in front of everyone's eyes today.

Student Kate Buchanan, 21, said: "I am so disappointed. England should not have played so many long balls. It all went downhill from the start of the second half.

"England had their chance and they blew it. They didn't seem to want it."

Amir Warsi, 25, a chartered accountant, said: "It was terrible. I thought that we'd get back into the game but it never happened, they seemed very down-hearted. It was a bit disappointing after the way we fought in the Argentinian game."

One couple had driven down from Stevenage last night to get a good view of the game. But Pete Lowe, 72, and his wife Margaret, 51, had no regrets. "We've had a lot of laughs and it was a great atmosphere. It's just a shame we didn't go through," said Mr Lowe.

Two lone Brazilian girls in yellow shirts tried but failed to hide their delight. Andriana Aguilar, 28, said: "The English people around us were very kind even if we did win. England had to attack but they found it hard. I hope now we can go on to win our fifth World Cup, I am afraid of Germany."

Behind her a group of diehard England fans had gathered around Nelson's Column, the last defiant fans, predictably they burst through the barriers sealing off the fountains as police officers tried to move them on. "I am English till I die," they chanted as they danced the conga through the water.

Football's longest day had begun at 7am with hordes flocking into the capital to watch the match. Five million people packed into pubs where 25,000 landlords had erected big screens to allow them to follow the action. Many had travelled into London on a fleet of early trains. Those still en route were given details on passenger information displays and through on-board announcements. Connex increased the length of some trains arriving in London to cope with demand.

At their workplaces, companies provided free breakfasts to head off the threat of mass absenteeism. Others gave their staff time off to watch the clash. Rover allowed its 6,500 workers at Longbridge, Birmingham, a day ' s holiday to watch the game. Six thousand employees at three Jaguar plants also voted themselves time off.

Among the biggest events in the capital was organised by the financial company Bloomberg which hosted a 900-strong gathering in Finsbury Square. Staff and City clients watched on a cinema-style screen. In the City, as traders left their desks to watch the game, the FT-SE 100 Index fell. At one point during the match, the market slumped to levels not seen since 21 September.

But once the adventure was over, the same millions trudged back to work in sombre mood. The FT-SE 100 recovered as business resumed. There will be a price to pay for today's indulgence. Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of the Centre for Economic and Business Research, says UK Gross Domestic Product will have fallen by about 10 per cent today.