They both kept the crowds waiting but in the end it was a win for Elton and for England.

Sir Elton John wowed the crowds in his first concert in Sussex for 24 years last night while the national football team dribbled to a win over Ecuador to ensure their place in the World Cup quarter finals.

The legendary performer came on stage within one minute of the football match ending at 5.54pm.

A roar went up from the crowd to signal the team were through, followed by a second whoop as Sir Elton took to the stage in a red and black suit with the words "Burning" and "Fire" emblazoned on his jacket.

The Argus had revealed many fans were prepared to miss The Rocket Man's performance at the Sussex County Cricket Ground, Hove, in favour of watching the England match.

But there was hardly a spare seat as around 17,000 spectators watched Sir Elton rock Sussex.

With England's football stars also securing the right result, it was a great night all round.

Elton fan Sasha Haggqvist, from Hove, said: "Elton was even better than I imagined he would be and the match result was great, too."

Meanwhile Joan Wilmott, from Crawley, who was at the concert with her husband Dave, said: "I recorded the football. The concert was a present from our children for our 60th birthdays."

Sir Elton was less than impressed with the performance of his friend David Beckham's team.

He said: "We were c**p but we won and that's all that matters."

When Beckham scored from a free kick at 5.20pm before Sir Elton was on stage, a huge roar carried through the crowd.

Golfer Michael Campbell, from New Zealand, was at the concert and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Mark McGhee was also among the audience. He joked: "Watching Elton John instead of the football wasn't a difficult decision for a Scotsman."