Two million fans fill Madrid as Spain celebrate World Cup victory

New Fifa World Cup champions Spain enjoyed a vibrant night of celebrations after an open-top bus parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday in front of a jubilant crowd of an estimated two million people.

The players enjoyed drinks on their procession under a blazing sun along the main arteries in the city centre, where a sea of fans in red and yellow were waiting, before arriving at Cibeles Square where they took to the stage and partied into the night.

The squad and Luis de la Fuente were introduced one-by-one to the fans, each with their own choice of music that they sang along to, while wearing We are champions shirts. The coach hailed his players as the “best in the world” and telling fans not to forget that “together we are stronger.”

The players and staff posed for a photo before Rodri raised the trophy again, just as he had done on Sunday night after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in New Jersey to be crowned champions.

After flying back from the US to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family earlier on Monday, and then Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez, before kicking off the parade. Players passed around the gleaming World Cup trophy and waved to their adoring supporters, some lining balconies, others on top of bus stops.

Ferran Torres’s strike in extra-time was enough to bring Spain their second World Cup, following a first victory in 2010.

“You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage … combining head and heart,” the king told La Roja’s stars, who were dressed in suits but changed into more casual clothing for their parade on a hot summer’s day.

Earlier, Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star. The Manchester City midfielder said this was the crowning achievement of his career.

“I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” said Rodri. “This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andrés) Iniesta lift the cup, and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”

Match-winner Torres joked, meanwhile, he was “flying, literally” after returning to Spain.

The World Cup winners’ bus parade started at the prime minister’s residence, Moncloa, before heading towards Cibeles Square, a traditional celebration point for the team, where hordes of fans had reserved their spots hours in advance. Players lifted coach De la Fuente into the air towards the end of a night of pure joy for La Roja.

Spain’s women’s side also won the World Cup in 2023, meaning for the first time a country holds both trophies simultaneously. In 2030, Spain’s men’s side will defend their crown on home soil as one of the World Cup hosts alongside Portugal and Morocco.

“It’s two-for-two,’ said Sánchez of Spain’s record in World Cup finals. “Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?”

Argentina, despite the presence of all-time great Lionel Messi, failed to create clear chances against Spain’s well-organised and more positive side in Sunday’s final. Messi had a sensational World Cup but drifted through the final like a ghost, shedding tears at the end.

In Madrid, tears also flowed on Monday night, but they were tears of joy.