Spain’s World Cup winners took over the streets of Madrid in a victory party to end all parties yesterday. More than a million people lined the streets as the triumphant World Cup winners paraded the trophy on an open-top bus through the city.

More than a million people lined the streets of Madrid to welcome Spain's World Cup winners

The party began in South Africa as leading scorer David Villa led the team in a conga on their 12-hour flight back from Johannesburg with the World Cup.

Spain World Cup winners show the trophy to Spainish Princesses Leonor and Sofia

On home soil, the Spanish World Cup winners met Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez and the Royal Family, including Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia.

Spain's World Cup winners celebrate

Spain’s goalkeeper Pepe Reina paid tribute to Paul the Octopus on a stage set up for the winning team.

Unsurprisingly, the Spanish papers were bursting with pride. El Pais described the triumph as “an ode to happiness”.

The Spainish press was jubilant

Now read this:
Is Paul the octopus really psychic?  
Spain beats Holland to win World Cup  
Destination guide: Madrid  
South Africa highlights