Madrid was transformed overnight. Spain had become world champions. Fans poured into the streets. Songs echoed through the capital.
The celebrations began soon after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey.
For Spain, it was a second World Cup title. The first had been won in 2010.
Madrid Was Turned Into a Party
The final whistle was followed by an explosion of joy. Car horns were sounded. Flags were waved. Fireworks lit up the sky.
Thousands of supporters filled Madrid’s streets. Many wore Spain shirts and had their faces painted in the national colours.
The Queen anthem “We Are the Champions” was sung across the city. The celebration even reached the skies. On an Iberia flight arriving in Madrid, the pilot welcomed passengers with a message of his own.
“We are world champions, ladies and gentlemen, dear passengers,” he announced after landing.
Victory Was Watched Together
Large crowds had gathered before the match. A giant screen had been installed in central Madrid. Fans watched together. The final was followed with growing tension. Then Ferran Torres scored in extra time.
The celebrations began. Diego, 25, said the victory was difficult to believe.
“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 said.
He planned to rest briefly. Then another celebration awaited. The team was expected home.
Fans Defended the Victory
The celebrations were mixed with pride. Some supporters also felt Spain had deserved the win. Alejandra Silva, 26, said the result had once seemed impossible.
“It is crazy to think we are singing it because at one point we no longer believed it would happen,” she said.
Her friend Angela Lambea, 30, praised Spain’s performance.
“We deserved it. We played really well,” she said.
She also argued that Argentina’s physical approach should not have been rewarded with victory. Spain’s dominance with the ball was highlighted. Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to create enough chances.
Cibeles Became the Destination
The celebrations were set to continue. The famous Cibeles square was being prepared for the team’s arrival. The site is well known as a gathering place for Real Madrid supporters celebrating major trophies.
Now, it was expected to welcome the country’s World Cup heroes. John Molina, 40, remembered Spain’s first World Cup triumph in 2010.
That victory, he said, had been “a dream”. Sixteen years later, another generation was celebrating the same achievement.
“We are all going to Cibeles,” he said.
A Million Fans Expected
The scale of the celebrations was expected to grow. Around one million people were forecast to line the team’s parade route. Extra security measures were planned.
Transport arrangements were also being strengthened. The players were expected to parade through Madrid later on Monday. Rodri and Lamine Yamal were among the stars expected to join the celebrations.
For a football-mad nation of nearly 50 million people, another unforgettable night had been created. And Spain was not ready to stop celebrating just yet.
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