4,045 days is a long time to wait for a city eager to see Spain. That is how long it had been since the national team last played in Oviedo, when they defeated Slovakia in a European Championship qualifier. Eleven years later, Spain returns to Asturias as two-time world champions, leaders of UEFA Nations League Group A3 and backed by an extraordinary unbeaten run.

That long-awaited return finally came on 2 October. At around 7:00pm, Luis de la Fuente’s side landed at Asturias Airport in Santiago del Monte to a huge reception, with hundreds of fans providing one of the warmest welcomes the team can remember. The squad then headed for Blau Las Caldas, where Spain have established their base ahead of the match against Czechia — kick-off at 8:45pm, live on TVE.

And there was Oviedo, with its boundless passion, waiting for them, erupting as soon as the team bus arrived. Flags, banners and shirts turned the final stretch of the journey red before the players entered the hotel, with the squad responding to the tremendous show of affection by signing autographs and posing for countless photographs.

Now, with the Carlos Tartiere as the stage, Spain and Czechia will renew their rivalry for the eighth time, and the third time in this competition. The overall record stands at five wins for Spain and two draws.

This time, the support will come from the stands of Real Oviedo’s home ground, which will swap blue for red for one night as the fans get behind Spain.