Španjolski heroji Svjetskog prvenstva spremni za kraljevsku dobrodošlicu i parada u Madridu

Spain’s men’s national football team returned home Saturday afternoon following their historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the 2026 World Cup, which took place in New Jersey. The squad, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, arrived in Madrid later than expected, landing approximately an hour after the originally scheduled time of 12:50 p.m. local time. Their triumph marked Spain’s second World Cup title, the first since 2010, and brought widespread euphoria across the nation. Fans gathered in large numbers along Madrid’s main thoroughfares, leaving behind signs of the previous night’s celebrations, beer cans, broken glass, and discarded confetti littered the streets. The victory over Argentina, sealed by a late goal from Ferran Torres during extra time, was described by Marca, a leading Spanish newspaper, as a demonstration of “total control” by the Spanish team against a “helpless Argentine side.” The win ended a 16-year gap since Spain’s first World Cup success in South Africa in 2010, when Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal in extra time against the Netherlands. Many young Spaniards had not been alive when that historic moment occurred, making this latest triumph even more significant for a new generation of fans. The city of Madrid prepared extensively for the team’s return. The Castellana Avenue, the primary route for the upcoming parade, showed evidence of the overnight revelry, with cleaning crews working through the early hours to ready the area for the festivities. Madrid’s mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, confirmed that the players would be welcomed at Zarzuela Palace, the official residence of King Felipe VI, on the outskirts of the capital. It remained unclear whether Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez would join the reception at La Moncloa, as he had made an unscheduled trip to Algeria earlier in the day. The planned celebrations included an open-top bus parade beginning at Moncloa, the seat of the Spanish government, and proceeding toward Cibeles Square, a traditional meeting point for national teams and their supporters. Francisco Martín, a spokesperson for the Madrid regional government, stated that up to one million people were expected to gather along the parade route. Authorities had deployed 2,050 police officers and 400 members of the Civil Guard to manage the crowd and ensure safety. Some fans, having spent little time sleeping after the initial celebrations, expressed plans to attend the parade once again, citing the rarity of such an achievement. The victory also marked a unique milestone for Spanish football, as the men’s team joined the women’s national side, who had claimed the 2023 World Cup title. This made Spain the first nation to hold both men’s and women’s World Cup titles simultaneously. Additionally, the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain alongside Portugal and Morocco, will provide an opportunity for the current squad to defend their crown on home soil. Spanish media lavished praise on the team, with Marca declaring them “kings of all time” after their victory over favorites France in the semifinals and their subsequent triumph over Argentina. The paper emphasized the team’s “second star,” which would be permanently attached to the Spanish jersey, symbolizing another era of dominance in international football. However, the joy was tempered by tragedy, as a 13-year-old boy was found dead shortly after midnight in the town of Ciudad Real, though authorities have not yet determined the cause of death. As the team prepares for their formal reception and parade, the nation continues to bask in the glow of its latest sporting achievement. With heightened security and anticipation, Madrid stands ready to honor its champions, ensuring that the legacy of Spain’s World Cup victory endures for generations to come.