Madrid awaits La Roja's return
Around one million ecstatic fans are set to welcome the newly crowned World Cup champions in Madrid this Monday.
La Roja's hard-fought 1-0 win against Argentina in New Jersey, sealed by an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres, has triggered massive national celebrations across Spain, marking their first World Cup title since 2010.
They have the golden trophy in tow, after a dominant performance, exercising "total control" against a "helpless Argentine side", according to Spanish daily Marca.
A whole new generation of Spanish fans are experiencing a World Cup victory for the first time. Many of these young supporters were not yet alive when Andrés Iniesta scored his iconic extra-time goal against the Netherlands in South Africa, which secured Spain's historic first title 16 years ago. In fact, Yamal and Pau Cubarsí were just 3 years old the time Spain won their first World Cup.
"I didn't sleep much, because... (of) the celebration and then the tension of the match -- I think it was a little more difficult for all of us to fall asleep," Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida told RNE radio.
It remains uncertain if Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will welcome the squad at the La Moncloa government headquarters due to an urgent diplomatic trip.
However, Francisco Martín, the central government's representative in Madrid, confirmed on Spanish public television that the World Cup champions will celebrate with an open-top bus parade starting at Moncloa and culminating at the iconic Plaza de Cibeles.
A ceremony involving the players will then be held at the square, the traditional gathering point for celebrations by the Spanish national team and its supporters.















