Celebrations erupted across the Spanish capital the moment the final whistle blew, as Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final sent fans pouring into the streets in jubilation.
Supporters flooded Madrid on Sunday, July 19, waving flags, cheering and honking horns after watching their team clinch the World Cup for the second time. Crowds dressed in the national team’s signature red jerseys made their way along Paseo de Recoletos toward Cibeles Square — the city’s traditional rallying point for celebrating Spain’s football triumphs.
Chants of “Campeones, campeones!” rang out through the crowds, with some fans letting off flares in celebration. Despite temperatures reaching as high as 35°C, tens of thousands had gathered from early in the day to secure spots near the giant screens set up in two outdoor fan zones across the city.
Footage broadcast nationwide showed similar scenes of celebration playing out in packed squares from Barcelona in the northeast to Seville in the southwest, with fans jumping and waving Spain’s red-and-yellow flag. The last time Spain lifted the World Cup was in 2010, when huge crowds welcomed the team home to Madrid following their victory in South Africa.
Winning Goal “Belongs to All of Spain,” Says Torres
Ferran Torres said the goal that won Spain the World Cup wasn’t just his own — but a moment shared by the entire nation.
The Barcelona forward struck in the second period of extra-time, finally finding a way past a resilient, 10-man Argentina side to seal a 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium. Torres said the achievement extended far beyond the pitch, describing it as belonging to the whole of Spain’s population rather than to himself or his teammates alone.
He reflected on the symbolism of winning so far from home, saying that although the victory came on foreign soil, the team had managed to make their supporters feel close throughout. Torres, who was named man of the match after coming on as a substitute, described the win as a profound relief, acknowledging that he’d faced considerable criticism during the tournament but crediting his faith for keeping him motivated.
He also spoke about the difficulty of winning a second World Cup for Spain, noting that finals are never easy — especially against a player of Lionel Messi’s caliber — but said the team’s belief in its style of play and in itself carried them through.
Spain’s royal household also marked the occasion, praising the national team for elevating the country’s standing on the world stage. In a message shared on X, the royal household described the triumph as the culmination of a long and demanding journey, built on effort, sacrifice, consistency and outstanding dedication throughout the tournament.