Congolese partying in London until 5am as they prepare to face Three Lions next

That’s the mood of Britain’s Congolese community today, after they stayed up all night to watch their side reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history.

That’s the mood of Britain’s Congolese community today, after they stayed up all night to watch their side reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s players defied the odds as their country faced a deadly Ebola outbreak back home, which stopped their side from training and their fans from flying out to watch them.

Now their opponents are England, which has left the football loyalties of London’s Congolese ‘divided’.

DR Congo set up last-32 encounter with Thomas Tuchel’s squad after they came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It was only the second time they’ve qualified for the World Cup, more than 50 years after the then-named Zaire lost all three games in the group stages.

Their win brought crowds of Congolese living in the UK out onto the streets in celebration.

West Green Road in Tottenham is going crazy rn. All the Congolese, Ghanians and Colombians are celebrating their progression for the World Cup pic.twitter.com/yoElDRfMtm

Many flocked to Seven Sisters, where there is a large community and a string of Congolese shops and eateries.

He was out with his wife, Goldie Bashala, until 5am, and they left only because they’d have to wake up early to serve customers.

For Sam and Goldie, both from Congo, they are torn between which side to cheer on Wednesday night.