Spain’s World Cup-winning squad arrived in Madrid on Monday to a rousing welcome ahead of a victory parade through the Spanish capital after defeating Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

La Roja secured their second men’s World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time to seal a 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The victory sparked jubilant celebrations across Spain, with thousands of fans expected to line the streets of Madrid as the players parade the trophy.

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In contrast, Argentina returned home under a cloud following chaotic scenes after the final whistle that have prompted FIFA to open an investigation into the conduct of members of the defeated team.

Football’s world governing body is expected to review the post-match incidents before determining whether disciplinary action will be taken.

The final remained goalless throughout regulation time before Torres broke the deadlock early in the second half of extra time, handing Spain the title and denying Argentina captain Lionel Messi what is widely expected to be his final opportunity to lift the World Cup.

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The defeat marked a disappointing end to the tournament for the 39-year-old football icon, with the post-match controversy further overshadowing his farewell appearance on the sport’s biggest stage.

Watch the video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬’ 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡 Credit: X | SkySportsNews

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Hannah Johnson is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over three years of professional experience in reporting, storytelling, and digital content creation. She blends traditional reporting skills with a modern, digital-first approach to journalism, producing content tailored for both web and social platforms. Hannah is skilled at turning complex topics into clear, engaging, and relatable stories that resonate with a wide audience. Her work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism.

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Source: The Punch