By Alex Menendez

There are football matches you watch, and then there are football matches you experience.

My trip to Miami to see England take on France at the World Cup was definitely the latter.

From the moment I arrived, it was obvious that this was going to be more than just another football match. The streets and stadium grounds were packed with supporters, many wearing the colors of their countries and proudly displaying flags, scarves and jerseys. Everywhere I looked, there were groups of fans talking football, taking photographs, sharing laughs and soaking in the anticipation of what was about to unfold.

Inside the stadium, the sense of excitement continued to build.

The crowd was packed in, and there was an incredible mixture of English and French supporters, along with fans from around the world who had come to Miami to experience the World Cup. Despite the enormous crowd and the intensity of the occasion, the atmosphere was remarkably friendly. Football had brought everyone together.

And then the match began.

The energy inside the stadium changed immediately.

Every attack brought thousands of people to their feet. Every tackle produced a roar. Every dangerous opportunity was greeted with anticipation. And when the goals came, the stadium seemed to explode.

For me, one of the most memorable parts of the entire experience wasn't just what was happening on the pitch—it was what was happening in the stands.

The supporters were constantly singing and chanting. English fans brought their famous football-song tradition with them, and at various points the crowd broke into Oasis songs, creating one of those surreal moments when a football stadium suddenly feels like the biggest concert in the world.

Thousands of voices singing together created an atmosphere that was difficult to describe unless you were actually there.

There was something particularly special about hearing those songs echo around the stadium while a World Cup match was taking place below. The music, the chanting, the flags, the goals and the sheer number of people all blended together into one enormous celebration of football.

And Miami provided the perfect backdrop.

The weather was fantastic—warm, comfortable and ideal for an evening of football. After all, this is Miami, and there was something fitting about experiencing a World Cup match in a city known for its energy, diversity and love of international culture.

What stood out to me most, however, was how friendly everyone was.

England and France may have been competing fiercely on the field, but outside of the action there was a real sense of camaraderie among the supporters. People were happy to talk, exchange stories, pose for photographs and enjoy the occasion together.

That's one of the things I love most about football.

For 90 minutes, we can be fiercely loyal to our teams. We celebrate every goal as if we've scored it ourselves and agonize over every missed opportunity. But when the final whistle blows, we're still part of the same global football community.

Standing in that packed stadium in Miami, surrounded by thousands of passionate supporters, I was reminded why major sporting events are so special.

The World Cup isn't simply about the result.

It's about the people.

It's about the songs that rise from the stands, the flags waving overhead, the conversations with complete strangers, the excitement before kickoff and the memories you carry home afterward.

For me, England versus France in Miami was all of that.

It was a packed stadium, beautiful weather, goals, singing, chanting, laughter and an atmosphere that felt both electric and welcoming.

As a photographer and football fan, I couldn't have asked for much more.

Some matches become statistics in the record books.

Others become stories.

This was a story I was fortunate enough to experience from inside the stadium.

Oh, and MY ENGLAND won!