Spain's World Cup winners welcomed by millions in Madrid parade

Spain's men's national football team returned home on Monday to a massive celebration in Madrid, after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final in New Jersey. An estimated 1.8 million people lined the streets for an open-top bus parade, according to authorities Source: NPR, though other sources put the figure at over one million Source: euronews. The victory is Spain's second men's World Cup title, and first since 2010.

Royal and political reception

The team first met King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters at the Zarzuela Palace Source: BBC. Later, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez greeted the players, thanking them for their 'style of play, effort, and victory' and urging them to dream of a third title in 2030 Source: CNA.

Parade and celebration

The squad then boarded a bus reading 'Stars shine together' and paraded from Moncloa Palace to Cibeles Square, where a ceremony took place. Players danced and played music, with striker Borja Iglesias acting as DJ Source: AP. The celebration was marred by a reported incident in Salamanca where a 13-year-old died after a fountain collapsed Source: AP.

Dual champions

Spain now holds both the men's and women's World Cup titles simultaneously, a first for any European nation Source: AP. FIFA also opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over incidents during the final Source: euronews.