Spain’s newly crowned World Cup champions returned home to Madrid on Monday, where around one million supporters were expected to welcome the team after a night of nationwide celebrations following their historic triumph.
Captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy above his head as he led the squad down the steps of the Iberia aircraft that brought them back from the United States after Spain secured their second World Cup title.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time to seal victory and spark celebrations across the football-obsessed nation.
The triumph marked Spain’s second World Cup crown, following their 2010 success in South Africa, when Andres Iniesta’s extra-time strike against the Netherlands delivered the country’s first title.
For many younger fans, Monday’s victory represented their first experience of a men’s World Cup triumph, having been too young to remember Spain’s historic win 16 years ago.
The scale of the celebrations was evident across Madrid. On Monday morning, the Castellana, the city’s main avenue, was littered with the remains of a night of revelry, including discarded cans, rubbish and broken glass.
Some supporters slept on pavements and benches with smiles still on their faces, while others were making their way home as cleaning crews worked through the early hours to prepare the city for the official celebrations.
“I didn’t sleep much because of the celebration and then the tension of the match — I think it was a little more difficult for all of us to fall asleep,” Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida told RNE radio.
After arriving, the players were scheduled to meet King Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace before visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the government headquarters, La Moncloa.
The team will then take part in an open-top bus parade from Moncloa to Cibeles Square, the traditional site of celebrations for Spanish national teams.
A ceremony with the players will follow at the square, where about one million fans are expected to gather. Authorities have announced additional security and transport measures to manage the crowds.
Some supporters who barely slept after the final were already preparing for another night of celebrations.
“We’ll have to celebrate it one way or another, given that it only happens every four years and that Spain hadn’t won it for about 16 years now — it definitely deserves a party,” said Bruno Gonzalez del Yerro, a 32-year-old financier.
Spain’s victory also means the country currently holds both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles, after the women’s team won their tournament in 2023 — the first time any nation has achieved the feat.
Spain will defend their crown on home soil in 2030 when they co-host the World Cup with Portugal and Morocco.
‘Kings of all time’
Spanish media struggled to contain their excitement after the team defeated France in the semi-finals before overcoming Argentina in the final.
“The kings of all-time!” declared sports daily Marca, praising the “second star” that will now appear on Spain’s shirt and highlighting the team’s collective performance.
The celebrations were also marked by tragedy. In Ciudad Rodrigo in western Spain, a 13-year-old boy died around midnight after a fountain collapsed under the weight of supporters who had climbed onto it while celebrating.
In Argentina, the mood was initially one of stunned silence after defeat before tears flowed as fans accepted that their team’s dream of winning a fourth World Cup had ended.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters are still expected to welcome the Argentina squad when they return home later on Monday.
After more than five weeks of competition involving an expanded 48-team format, only Spain and Argentina remained for the tournament’s 104th and final match.
The defending champions, despite having Lionel Messi in their ranks, struggled to create clear opportunities against a disciplined Spain side that played with greater attacking intent.
Argentina’s task became even harder after Enzo Fernandez was sent off, allowing Spain to take control. Substitute Nico Williams provided the assist before Torres fired home the winning goal.
“It’s not my goal, it’s the goal of 47 million people,” said Torres, the match-winner.
Messi enjoyed a remarkable tournament but was largely anonymous in the final, leaving the pitch in tears after the defeat.
In Madrid, however, the tears flowing on Monday will be tears of celebration.
AFP
