Nearly two million jubilant fans lined the streets of Madrid on Monday as Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning team returned home to celebrate its historic triumph with an open-top bus parade before a packed Plaza de Cibeles.
Spain secured its second World Cup title on Sunday after Ferran Torres struck the decisive extra-time winner in a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final in New Jersey.
The celebrations began soon after the squad landed in Madrid at around 1 p.m. local time. The players first attended official receptions hosted by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, both of whom had travelled to New Jersey to watch the final.
Praising the team’s achievement, King Felipe VI highlighted the unity and spirit that carried Spain to world football’s biggest prize.
The squad then boarded an open-top bus from Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, making its way through the Spanish capital as an estimated 1.8 million supporters packed the streets to celebrate the world champions, according to Xinhua.
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The celebrations culminated at the iconic Plaza de Cibeles, where another 120,000 fans had gathered hours in advance, enjoying live performances from Spanish pop stars before the team’s arrival.
Players took turns lifting the World Cup trophy, singing with supporters and soaking in the atmosphere despite temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Defender Marc Cucurella added to the festivities by entertaining the crowd on the drums as celebrations continued until nearly midnight.
The celebrations, however, were also marked by tragedy. A 13-year-old fan died in Ciudad Rodrigo after being struck by part of a fountain during the festivities.
Elsewhere, police arrested three people, and around 30 others required medical treatment after celebrations in Barcelona turned violent.