MADRID, July 15, (v7n) – Roars of joy and honking car horns reverberated through Madrid on Tuesday as Spaniards celebrated their team's semi-final victory over France, moving to the cusp of a second World Cup crown.
"I am so happy and very proud of the team," said 19-year-old student Jaime Sanchez 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."
Swarms of fans in Spain football shirts milled around central Madrid, with the red and yellow flag draped over their shoulders or painted on their cheeks. "Long live Spain!", "I am Spanish!" they chanted, capturing the moment on their phones and dancing to stadium tunes.
Before the match, 17-year-old student Erika Barea admitted the French attack "scares me a lot," but pointed to Spain's superior record in recent encounters—having knocked France out of Euro 2024 and defeated them in last year's Nations League semi-finals.
Jaime Lopez, a 19-year-old music student, had insisted Spain's collective strength would overcome star-studded France. "In general, I think they form a good team. They don't have very big stars, but they have a good team that knows how to play well," he said.
Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, played an important role by winning the first-half penalty that broke the deadlock. "He's been a bit quiet, but always when you go out onto the pitch, being in a game like that, I think it motivates you," said 50-year-old Celia Vazquez.
Contemplating a potential repeat of Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph, Sanchez remembered celebrating with his family as a child. "Enjoy this moment as much as possible, you only live it, not once in life, but twice if we win this World Cup," he said.
end/wsp/rh/
