Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Fans gather for the Final - Spain v England - Madrid, Spain - July 15, 2024 Spain fans celebrate after the match at the Plaza de Cibeles REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish national team's European Championship win kept the whole country holding its breath on Sunday night until the final whistle, when chants and car horns filled the streets, with ecstatic fans celebrating the victory.
Millions of Spaniards kept their eyes peeled on the TV and gathered around the multiple big screens placed across the major cities of the country, as their national team managed to beat England 2-1 with a late goal.
Loud cheering could be heard in almost every corner of the country as Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the two goals that gave Spain its fourth European Championship crown.
"Yes, yes, the cup is here," chanted fans in Madrid's Colon square, where Spain usually celebrates the national team's victories.
Fans gathered in Mataro, the hometown of Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal, were excited to see him assist Williams. "It is a matter of pride, we are very lucky because he is the MVP of Spain!," Ana, 18, told Reuters.
Pre-match expectations were high as Luis de la Fuente's team allowed the Spanish fans to dream with the trophy by showing confidence, talent, unity and great skills on the pitch in their way to the finals.
Spain faced a fast-improving England, which started the tournament groggily but recovered to compete until the very last minute.
The Spanish joy contrasted with the disappointment of the huge number of English fans gathered in several tourist spots in Spain to watch the game, such as the coast city of Benidorm.
People talked about nothing but football during this weekend in Spain, the balconies filled with national flags, the streets with red football jerseys and the bars with enthusiasm.
Last time Spain reached the final stage in the Euro was twelve years ago, when they beat Italy 4-0 to win their third tournament.
Spanish soccer fan, Ana Isabel Huete, said, "Yes, they played better than any team, better than anyone else, it was extraordinary."
(Reporting by Ana Cantero, Horaci Garcia, Elena Rodriguez, Michael Gore, Eva Manez; Additionalk reporting by Raul Cadenas; Editing by Diane Craft)
