Passionate, stoical. Paraguayan fans gracious in defeat

Each time there was a near-miss for Paraguay, or a save, or booking for an England player, the drums beat out and the crowd - women, children and whole families, most of whom appeared to have little interest in the football - proudly displayed their South American passion.

But one family, the Warners, received the bulk of the attention. This is because Ian, 50, is an Englishman married to Emi, a Paraguayan. Ian and their son, Adam, 16, were wearing the white shirts of England; Emi and their 13-year-old daughter, Kelly, proudly sported the Paraguay team's strip.

As the final whistle blew, everyone appeared happy to carry on chatting and drinking, and trying to find their children.

"We are proud to have qualified and it's been a wonderful day," said Marie Feruggia, the society's founder, without a hint of football-fan sadness.