Caroline Weir opened the scoring for the hosts on 36 minutes, but the Blues drew level when Guro Reiten squeezed the ball home from the spot on the hour mark, a goal that went down as an own goal to the Real keeper. We were denied by the woodwork twice in the first half and had further chances to win the match, but had to settle for a point.

It was a frustrating night for the Blues where the final pass and finishing touch evaded us. However, a disappointing first half by our standards was brushed aside and the team reacted well in the second half, earning a hard-fought draw which keeps us in control of Group A.

At the break, some fresh impetus was required and Hayes made a double switch with Niamh Charles and Fran Kirby entering the fray. Reflecting on a performance which did not match the standards we set for ourselves, Hayes credited the reaction from her players in the second half.

‘When changes are made everybody looks at individuals, the realities were that at 1-0 down, I wasn’t going to wait and the team know that. It was a great response from the team in the second half. We could have won it in the end. It’s a point gained, but a disappointing performance by our standards.’

This draw in the Spanish capital brings our impressive run of 11 consecutive victories to an end, but we remain unbeaten since September. Hayes showed great respect for a good quality opposition and put a positive spin on the result despite the overriding feeling of frustration.

‘We’re in a good place. We know this is a tough group. We have to respect coming to Madrid away from home on a big pitch. This is an improving team, they drew with PSG, they beat Man City. We have to pay respect to Real Madrid, but I’m disappointed at us. I thought it was a good game and a draw was probably a fair result.’

A below-par showing in the first half was rectified in the second. The bar was raised and on another day, we could have been heading back to London with all three points. Hayes spoke about focusing on what we could influence, rather than the moments which got away from us.

‘We focus on the second half, we do that every half time. You can’t take something back, what you can do is make the right changes and I did that by making two changes and that added value to the game.

‘This isn’t about individuals, as a team our standards are what they are. They weren’t good enough by our standards in the first half, but credit to the team for the way we responded in the second half. Everybody raised their levels and it was a better performance.’

With two group games left to navigate against Vllaznia and PSG, we remain top of the group with a three-point lead intact. Hayes accepted the European stage is never plain sailing and is pleased with the position we find ourselves in ahead of the trip to Albania next week.

‘It’s a great place to be in. I always knew this would be a difficult place to come, the size of the pitch made it difficult. I don’t think you’re going to sail through the group winning every game because the quality of opponents means that is going to be difficult. To be top of the group at this stage, to have it within our hands going into the next one is the place we want to be.’