World Cup-winning Spain team arrives in Madrid

Sports Desk

A plane carrying Spain’s newly crowned world champions landed in Madrid on Monday, nearly 14 hours after their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final in the United States.

Under clear blue skies, a Spanish national flag flew from the cockpit window as the Iberia Airlines plane approached the terminal at Madrid-Barajas Airport at 14:30 local time (12:30 GMT).

Coach Luis de la Fuente was the first to step off the plane. Right behind him was the tournament’s best player, Rodri, who stood at the top of the stairs and held the World Cup trophy aloft.

The Spanish team is scheduled to meet King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid, before heading to the government headquarters at the Moncloa Palace for a reception with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The players and coaching staff will then travel around central Madrid in an open-top bus and finally arrive at Cibeles Square, where a celebratory ceremony will be held.

Nearly one million people are expected to gather on the streets of the Spanish capital to greet their favorite players.