TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Spain unites in joy at second World Cup crown

Waving red and gold flags, Spaniards and fans from around the world watched as La Roja realised the dream of winning the trophy for the second time following an extra-time goal by Ferran Torres in New Jersey. 

Agencies
Madrid
Mon, July 20, 2026 Published on Jul. 20, 2026 Published on 2026-07-20T10:48:53+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Spain's supporters cheer prior the 2026 World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at Colon square's fan zone in Madrid, on July 19, 2026. Spain's supporters cheer prior the 2026 World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at Colon square's fan zone in Madrid, on July 19, 2026. (AFP/Paul Hanna)

T

housands danced in the streets, set off fireworks and launched red flares in Madrid as the party went on into the early hours of Monday after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup. 

Waving red and gold flags, Spaniards and fans from around the world watched as La Roja realised the dream of winning the trophy for the second time following an extra-time goal by Ferran Torres in New Jersey. 

As red flares pierced the night and revellers sang "A Viva Espana", Mario, from Barcelona, said he had travelled from the Catalan capital to Madrid to watch the match. 

"I drove here from Barcelona in order to see the game with the fans here in Madrid because I am from Barcelona. And tomorrow we’ll wait for the players here to celebrate with them,” he told Reuters. 

Islem took a flight from Tunisia to Madrid to cheer on Spain in the Spanish capital. 

“I know it was worth it and I knew they would win, Viva Espana,” he said.

Alvaro, who had come from Malaga to Madrid to watch the game on a giant screen was overcome by Spain's victory. 

"I’m so happy. It’s so beautiful!,” he said early on Monday morning.

After a tense match that went to extra time, fans exploded in joy in cities and towns across Spain as the final whistle blew in New York.

Spain’s World Cup-winning football team will parade through central Madrid on Monday afternoon in front of an expected crowd of one million, authorities said.

The squad is due to land at Madrid airport at 12:50 pm local time (1050 GMT).

The players will then travel from near the Moncloa Palace, the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to Cibeles Square, the central government's representative in Madrid, Francisco Martin, told Spanish public television.

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.

Around one million people are expected to line the parade route, with additional security and transport measures planned to handle the crowds, Martin said.

In Barcelona, where many of the Spain team play for the La Liga champions, revellers set fireworks off and partied on the beaches at the start of what promised to be a long night of celebrations. 

Spain fans waved flags and cheered in the streets of the neighbourhood where Spain's teenage forward Lamine Yamal grew up.

The 19-year-old Lamine learned to play football on the streets of Rocafonda, a working-class, multi-ethnic area of Mataro, a coastal city about 30 km (19 miles) north of Barcelona.

The residents of Rocafonda, who include his grandmother and a cousin, still regard Lamine, who plays for Spain and Barcelona, as one of their own. 

On the community pitch, where Lamine honed his skills as a boy, there is a mural featuring the player who is a symbol of the possible. 

Lamine, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and mother from Equatorial Guinea, has never ​forgotten his roots. 

Throughout his career, he has honoured ​Rocafonda with ⁠his trademark "304" hand gesture after scoring goals - a reference to the neighbourhood's postal code.

During the World Cup, he has sported a headband with "Rocafonda" on it, ⁠worn ​the flags of his parents' countries of ​origin on his boots, and said football was an example of racial and social integration.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, posted on X: "We are World Champions!! Our national team was great! Thanks team!" 

US President Donald Trump and Sanchez, who have had a frosty relationship, exchanged a brief handshake before the match, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.