One fan overcome in Trafalgar Square (Allsport)

By Alistair Grant, PA Sport

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England fans ignored their team's World Cup exit to continue Friday's morning's Trafalgar Square giant screen party until long after the final whistle in Shizuoka.

Brazil's 10 men beat Sven-Goran Eriksson's side 2-1 in Japan and back home, supporters who had crowded beneath Nelson's Column to watch the action unfold defiantly reaffirmed their belief in David Beckham and co more than two hours after their defeat.

Around 8,000 fans packed Trafalgar Square for the live screening - and hundreds remained to send chants ringing out in front of the National Gallery towards lunchtime.

Foreign exchange firm Travelex forked out £30,000 to convey England's showdown with Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho - and at just 24-hours' notice, supporters responded in force.

Anthony Wagerman, head of marketing of the company which have also paid a reported £3million to sponsor ITV's World Cup coverage, said: "It was a phenomenal response from the fans and a great event. The crowd and atmosphere were brilliant, but unfortunately we had no control over the result.

"Trafalgar Square is where people gather for important national moments - so we gave the fans the opportunity to watch the game here, in conjunction with the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan police.

"It was a sea of red, white and blue - and when Owen's goal went in, the crowd went wild. Everyone was disappointed at the final whistle although lots of supporters have stayed on here."

The police reported the event passed off successfully, with 60 officers on duty in case of any trouble.

The only minor problem arose at 11am, when supporters pulled down barriers and leapt into the fountains.

Inspector John Shepherd said: "The fans were generally well behaved and very few arrests were made. They were disappointed but well mannered."

Fans flocked from across the country to be in central London for the 7.30am kick off. Two supporters, Andy Walser and James Connell, both 30, made the 250-mile trek from Scarborough - leaving at 4.25am - to "witness the Trafalgar Square experience".

Walser said: "Brazil had a 10-minute spell either side of half-time when they beat us. They played well and we sat back then.

"I thought we might have done it when Ronaldinho was sent off, but the end of the second half was as if we were defending a 2-1 lead, not them.

"Sven used the substitutions but we weren't going forward and didn't have the form on the day."

Connell added: "Neither side really turned up but it was still a good atmosphere here and it was great when we scored. David Seaman got injured just before their first goal - and I think he'll retire from international football now."

David Wilcox, 15, from North Acton, London, said: "It was a good effort by the lads but a disappointing performance against Brazil, when there were high expectations after beating Argentina. But never mind, we'll win it in four years."

Joe Davenport, also 15, from Shepherds Bush, London, added: "You couldn't move here. It was a good atmosphere and brilliant when Owen scored. Everyone was upset at the end, but we're proud of England and Sven's still got a young team."

The scene at Trafalgar Square today was in stark contrast to the joyous impromptu party sparked by Saturday's 3-0 second-round demolition of Denmark.

Then, thousands of fans spilled out of bars around Leicester Square and Covent Garden to leap into the fountains and chant several choruses of "We're not going home".

Sadly, Sven's men are doing just that today.