Emotional homecomings as Spain and Argentina fans welcome national teams after FIFA World Cup final
Thousands of football fans gathered in Madrid on Monday to welcome Spain's national team after its FIFA World Cup victory over Argentina, celebrating the country's second men's world title, 16 years after its first.
Crowds lined the route of the team bus through the Spanish capital, many wearing red shirts, waving flags and chanting as players and staff stood on board, cheering and waving back to supporters.
In Argentina, fans filled the roads around Ezeiza International Airport to welcome the national team following its return from the tournament.
Supporters waved flags, chanted and set off fireworks as an open-top bus carried the squad towards the Argentine Football Association's training complex.
Argentina returned without the World Cup trophy and without captain Lionel Messi, but fans continued to celebrate the team's run to a second consecutive World Cup final.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in the 106th minute.
The victory secured Spain's second men's FIFA World Cup title and ended Argentina's reign as defending champions.
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