Madrid roars on La Roja Spanish fans are tired but not dejected

Despite the air-fryer temperature outside and the imminent, annual August exodus, the people of Madrid weren't going to miss out on another opportunity to watch their national football team prove its mettle against the country that had given the world the Beautiful Game.

- Sam Jones

After all, recent international fixtures hadn't gone all that badly. By 5.45pm yesterday, the Parque de Berlín, which lies a mile east of the Bernabéu stadium, was filling up with people who were braving the 35C (95F) heat to stand in front of a large and heavily sponsored screen. Some drank beer, others picnicked or fanned themselves, and some queued for free T-shirts.

An admirably patriotic Spanish mastiff had also turned out, a rojigualda flag proudly knotted around its thick and magnificent neck. Close by stood municipal health workers and police officers who had probably endured more strenuous assignments.

All, however, were inclined to agree with the excitable MC who bellowed that they were about to witness something very, very special as the countdown to the women's Euro final began. "We have to look at this as something amazing," he hollered. "This is a triumph for the women's team. They're going to make history! They're going to do it again!"

Madrid and its public spaces are not without practice when it comes to massive spectator events, especially when the sport in question is football and the opponents are England.