France fans take over London in their thousands to celebrate World Cup glory

Football DID come home on Sunday – but in the shape of thousands of France football supporters celebrating World Cup glory in London.

An estimated 400,000 French people live in the English capital – making it France’s sixth-largest city – and most of which were in Piccadilly Circus it seemed after the 4-2 victory over Croatia.

The Tricolour was flying high as fans planted one of the iconic Eros statue as a massive party kicked off.

Flares were fired as supporters chanted ‘Allez Les Bleus’, turning out in such numbers that police were forced to close down roads.

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Londoners were stunned as their city became a sea of blue and white, swamping main streets and side alleys alike, taking over cafes, bars and restaurants alike.

Social media was lit up by confused Englanders who were outnumbered by jubilant French fans in their own backyard on a hot evening.

One fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Craziness in Piccadilly Circus. Champions du monde.’

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Another wrote: ‘First France wins, then they take Piccadilly Circus.’

A third said: ‘Piccadilly Circus goes mad for Les Blues.’ His words, not ours…

It was a far cry from the events that unfolded at Birmingham Airport at the same time as England’s footballers returned home from Russia to no fanfare from fans following a declaration from the Football Association that there would be no official welcoming reception despite their best World Cup in 28 years – fourth place.

Meanwhile, the party was in full swing in Paris but celebrations turned too wild as the night wore on.

The official fanzone in Paris was declared full at its 90,000 capacity by 11am – four hours before the game had even begun.

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Temperatures reached 31 degrees Celsius during the 4-2 win and supporters were sprayed by huge water cannons to keep them cool.

Fireworks filled the sky after victory was secured and choruses of Le Marseillaise could be heard far and wide across the nation.

It was a sea of people from the Arc de Triomphe and right the way down the two-kilometre-long Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde.

The Eiffel Tower was lit up in red white and blue and the Arc de Triomphe was also illuminated to mark the occasion, just as it had been after the 1998 win.

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However, the glorious scenes turned nasty at around 11pm as riot police were forced to intervene and used tear gas to stop rowdy revellers from causing damage to shopfronts.

France’s victorious players will hold a homecoming parade to celebrate their second World Cup win later this week.