Ecstatic celebrations as Spaniards fete World Cup triumph

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2026-07-20T09:05:00+05:00 AFP

Thousands of ecstatic Spanish fans in Madrid bellowed out the Queen song "We are the Champions" following Spain's victory in the World Cup final against Argentine on Sunday.

Even passengers on an Iberia flight were treated to the anthem by the British rock band.

The Iberia pilot could barely contain himself after safely landing the plane at Madrid airport, announcing: "We are world champions, ladies and gentlemen, dear passengers."

La Roja -- as the national side are known -- beat 2022 champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey to secure their second 'star' having also won in 2010.

No-one in Madrid was likely to get much sleep such were the celebrations in the city which erupted close to midnight (2200 GMT) when the final whistle was blown on a match that the Spanish dominated before Ferran Torres secured victory with a goal in extra time.

The horns of cars blared, though they were not going far with the hordes of people who flooded the streets cheering raucously and blowing vuvuzelas -- the instrument that became a feature of the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa.

Thousands dressed in the team strip, brandishing the national flag, and with their faces painted had already gathered to watch the final on a giant screen in the centre of the capital city.

Flares and fire works also lit up the sky and 25-year-old Diego gasped with disbelief that for the second time in his relatively short life his country had won the biggest trophy in the sport.

"We won the Euro in 2008, then the World Cup: two years ago we won the Euro again and now once more we have won the World Cup," he purred.

He said he would grab some sleep before awaiting the arrival of the returning heroes because "we must also celebrate that".

Around one million people are expected to line the parade route, with additional security and transport measures planned to handle the crowds.

- 'Going to Cibeles!' -

"It is crazy to think we are singing it because at one point we no longer believed it would happen," said 26-year-old Alejandra Silva, who had to raise her voice to be heard.

Her friend Angela Lambea, 30, said it would have been unfair if superstar Lionel Messi and his side -- whose overly physical tactics eventually resulted in Enzo Fernandez being sent off -- had gone on to win.

"We deserved it, we played really well, we had the ball the whole time, Argentina barely touched it. We are totally overcome with emotion," she said.

Both of them were keen to carry on the celebrations, though, with the caveat that they had to work on Monday.

Cries of "Campeones, campeones!" ("Champions, champions!") and "Que viva España!" rang out.

Indeed their celebrations were mirrored across a football-mad country of around 50 million people although some of the younger revellers would have had no memory of the earlier glory nights.

One who did is 40-year-old John Molina, who remembers the first World Cup victory, in the final against the Netherlands 16 years ago, which he said was "a dream" at that time.

He already has his eyes on where he will carry on celebrating: "We are all going to Cibeles", the square where Real Madrid supporters gather to fete their club's trophies.

Molina and others may as well stay on -- though the detritus of Sunday night and Monday morning's celebrations will have had to be cleared away quickly -- as Rodri, Lamine Yamal and their teammates will end their victory parade there later on Monday.

It promises to be another party to remember.

Million to welcome home World Cup champions

Spain’s World Cup-winning football team will parade through central Madrid on Monday afternoon in front of an expected crowd of one million, authorities said.

The Spanish added the world crown to their European one they won in 2024 when they beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time.

The squad is due to land at Madrid airport at 12:50 pm local time (1050 GMT).

The players will then travel from near the Moncloa Palace, the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to Cibeles Square, the central government's representative in Madrid, Francisco Martin, told Spanish public television.

A ceremony involving the players will then be held at the square, the traditional gathering point for celebrations by the Spanish national team and its supporters.

Around one million people are expected to line the parade route, with additional security and transport measures planned to handle the crowds, Martin said.

A total of 2,050 police officers and 400 Civil Guard personnel will be deployed, he added.

Madrid was already preparing for a night of festivities after the final, with thousands of supporters who gathered in bars and three fan zones pouring out into the streets in celebration.

Spain’s last World Cup victory came in 2010, when hundreds of thousands of supporters welcomed the team home in Madrid after their win in South Africa.

Messi's Argentina falls flat

Spain won their second World Cup, collecting the trophy from US President Donald Trump after Ferran Torres' extra-time strike broke the stubborn resistance of Lionel Messi's Argentina.

More than 80,000 people crammed into the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to witness a tense, tight final punctuated by cynical Argentine fouls that ended 1-0.

The defending champions struggled to compete with dominant Spain and were left with a mountain to climb when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute for a second yellow card after a reckless challenge on defender Pau Cubarsi.

Argentina barely had an attempt on goal in the entire match but held on grimly, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez making a series of saves.

The 2010 winners, who had peppered their opponents' goal, finally broke the deadlock early in the second half of extra-time.

The goal came from a brilliant knock-back by Nico Williams for fellow substitute Torres, who smashed the ball high into the net in the 106th minute.

At the end, the Spain players cavorted on the pitch while Messi was in tears as he trudged up to collect his runners-up medal.

The ceremony was presided over by Trump, who was loudly booed as he walked onto the pitch at the end of the game with Gianni Infantino, the chief of world football's governing body FIFA.

Trump had to be asked by Infantino to move to the side as he lingered on stage while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft.

The 80-year-old even did a quick version of his trademark "Trump dance".

An emotional Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players were a "source of pride" for the nation.

Spain captain Rodri, who won the player of the tournament award, said it was hard to put his feelings into words, 14 months after he returned from a serious knee injury.

"I think now we're like in a cloud," he said. "It's been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity -- when you go down you can rise again."

- Messi exit? -
Messi, 39, may have played his last World Cup game and he can take enormous credit for dragging his ageing team to the final after they were pushed to the limit in knockout games against Egypt and England.

But on Sunday, he was largely shut out of the game as Spain imposed their smooth passing game and refused to shirk physical challenges.

The South Americans had been aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. But Spain were faster, slicker and younger.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain had deserved to win.

"They were the better side -- that's the truth -- but I'll cherish the memory of (this team), of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far," said Scaloni, who later broke down in tears at his post-game press conference.

"We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort," he added.

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