Tens of thousands of Spain fans gathered in central Madrid on Monday to celebrate the national team's World Cup triumph, braving 34C heat for a victory parade that culminated at the Plaza de Cibeles. The homecoming followed Spain's 1-0 win over Argentina in Sunday's final in New Jersey, capping a run marked by both success and criticism of the squad along the way.

The squad landed at Barajas airport at 2.30pm local time, with captain Rodri carrying the trophy, before being received by King Felipe, Queen Letizia and their daughters at the Zarzuela palace and then by prime minister Pedro Sánchez at the Moncloa palace. Rodri said winning the tournament, evoking memories of Spain's 2010 triumph, was "the biggest thing you can do in football", while Madrid's mayor praised the largely peaceful scenes as thousands lined the streets for the open-topped bus parade.