'Long Live Spain!': Madrid Erupts As Fans Celebrate 2-0 Win Over France In FIFA World Cup Semifinal

Published 15 July 2026 · sports

'Long Live Spain!': Madrid Erupts As Fans Celebrate 2-0 Win Over France In FIFA World Cup Semifinal Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 08:37

'Long Live Spain!': Madrid Erupts As Fans Celebrate 2-0 Win Over France In FIFA World Cup Semifinal Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 08:37 IST Spain managed to snuff out Les Bleus as a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and a goal from Pedro Porro took Luis de la Fuente's side to Sunday's final. Rapid Read Spanish fans celebrate in central Madrid after win over France. (AP Photo) Madrid erupted in celebration on Tuesday night after Spain booked their place in the FIFA World Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over France. Thousands of jubilant supporters poured into the streets, waving flags, singing patriotic chants and dreaming of a second World Cup title as the capital was swept up in a festive atmosphere. Roars of celebration echoed across central Madrid, accompanied by blaring car horns, as fans spilled out of the official fan zone after watching Spain dismantle one of the tournament favourites. “I am so happy and very proud of the team," a euphoric Jaime Sanchez, 19, told news agency AFP as thousands of revellers streamed out of the official fan zone in central Madrid after watching the 2-0 win. “People didn’t give us a chance, but we were able to beat France, and we will beat whoever it may be in the final," the student said. Supporters wearing Spain shirts flooded the city’s streets, many draped in red-and-yellow national flags or with the colours painted across their faces.

They danced to familiar football anthems, recorded the celebrations on their phones and broke into chants of “Long live Spain!" and “I am Spanish!" The excitement extended well beyond the packed fan zone at Plaza de Colón. Fans who could not get inside gathered wherever they could, sitting on walls, grassy patches and even occupying a bus lane to catch a glimpse of the giant screen. Across the city, bars and restaurants overflowed as supporters watched from pavements and terraces. The semi-final in Arlington, Texas, had been billed as one of the marquee clashes of the tournament, with many expecting France’s star-studded attack, led by Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, to prove decisive. Instead, Spain produced a composed and disciplined display. A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a goal by Pedro Porro sealed a 2-0 victory and sent Luis de la Fuente’s side into Sunday’s final in New Jersey. Before kick-off, 17-year-old student Erika Barea admitted that the French attack “scares me a lot, because the only thing I don’t want is for France to win". Even so, she believed Spain’s recent record against France offered reason for confidence. La Roja had already eliminated France on their way to winning Euro 2024 and also defeated Didier Deschamps’ side in last year’s Nations League semi-finals. Jaime Lopez, a 19-year-old music student, also backed Spain’s strength as a collective over France’s individual talent.