Lions fans from across the world were tuning in and sharing their thoughts on the match using the hashtag #LionsNZ2017.
In an enthralling second Test in Wellington, Saracens’ Owen Farrell slotted a late penalty to edge the Lions ahead for the first time in the match and the seal a dramatic comeback victory.
Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray had brought the Lions back into a game from 18-9 down before Farrell delivered the crucial final blow.
And with the series level at 1-1 heading into the third Test in Auckland, we’ve compiled the best bits from social media from throughout the match:
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Maro Itoje enjoyed something of a family reunion after the game with his dad celebrating the win:
When your pops is 100% more happy than you!! Thank you for the all the support. Onto next week!!! 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/96agskaeEl
— Maro Itoje (@maroitoje) July 1, 2017
Captain Sam Warburton paid tribute to his team and the vocal supporters after a thrilling contest:
You can hear the fans cheering the team as they leave the field at the end of the game:
Check out this reception as the victorious Lions players left the pitch earlier 😍 #AllForOne#NZLvBIL report👉 https://t.co/agvyCmJoIf pic.twitter.com/1l1ElClZ3L
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
Winger Anthony Watson shared the victory with his father, but is already looking ahead to the third Test:
They may not have been able to join the Lions in Wellington but Stuart Hogg and Ben Youngs were both following the action closely and were delighted with the final result:
GET IN THERE!!!! Awesome boys. @lionsofficial #AllForOne #LionNZ2017
— Stuart W Hogg (@StuartWHOGG_) July 1, 2017
How good is it that it’s coming down to the last test brilliant for both teams so fitting for the occasion the lions bring. I’m excited 🦁🥝
— Ben Youngs (@benyoungs09) July 1, 2017
There were high fives all round for Owen Farrell after that kick in the final moments:
High five! Great family time for @owen_faz post-game, joined on the pitch by his brother Gabriel 🙌 #AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/ixBLuUJ40N
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
It was a tense match and 2001 Lion Iain Balshaw was hoping for some divine intervention to help the Lions out:
Anything for you pal pic.twitter.com/1RqB9OTytn
— Iain Balshaw (@iainbalshaw) July 1, 2017
Three-time Lion Matt Dawson thought there were shades of 1997 and his famous dummy in the Conor Murray try:
Nothing like a dummy and go down the short side…. #LionsTour2017
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) July 1, 2017
Lewis Moody was impressed with a captain’s performance from Sam Warburton:
Well done @samwarburton_ your @lionsofficial team was immense. Fantastic shift from the captain👍🏼🦁
— Lewis Moody (@LewisMoody7) July 1, 2017
All Black Sean Fitzpatrick congratulated the Lions on their victory:
A huge congratulations to the @lionsofficial on winning in Wellington. What a test match. @AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/Bjz1HUWQFz
— Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) July 1, 2017
Plenty of players who have represented the Lions in the past were enjoying the match, including Doddie Weir:
Yes. Just YES!
Well done @lionsofficial
— Doddie Weir (@DoddieWeir5) July 1, 2017
Very proud….. pic.twitter.com/wLHL8jxwWZ
— Phil Vickery MBE DL (@Phil_Vickery) July 1, 2017
Can’t wait till next Saturday @lionsofficial
— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) July 1, 2017
There was lots of praise for the tremendous Lions fans who created a sea of red in Wellington:
I was there in amongst an amazing sea of noisy @lionsofficial fans in red!! 🏉👍 pic.twitter.com/R82YxOa5rf
— Ryan Jones (@RyanJonesOnline) July 1, 2017
How good are the @lionsofficial fans!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 🦁🏉
— Jason Robinson OBE (@Jason15Robinson) July 1, 2017
The best fans ever…. #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/OZaO5c4c6A
— Phil Vickery MBE DL (@Phil_Vickery) July 1, 2017
It’s now set to be a big week for both sides as they prepare for a final Test decider:
Delighted for the staff and players. What a week ahead to be a lion on that tour.
— Paul O’Connell (@Paul_OConnell) July 1, 2017
Great, gutsy victory by @lionsofficial over the @AllBlacks – great to have series decider next week. Would have been a long week without it
— David Sole (@davidsole678) July 1, 2017
And it wasn’t just rugby players who were watching on, here are a few others who had something to say:
🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 🦁🦁🦁🦁 @lionsofficial 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
— Justin Rose (@JustinRose99) July 1, 2017
@lionsofficial yesssssss!
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) July 1, 2017
Great fight back from @lionsofficial #LionsNZ0217
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 1, 2017
