Football World Cup Champions Return Home

The Spanish team returned to a heroes' welcome to the country after they defeated Netherlands to lift their first FIFA World Cup trophy.

Players landed at Madrid's Barajas airport shortly before 3 p.m. (1300 GMT, 9 a.m. EDT).

A huge crowd had gathered at the airport to welcome the team which emerged from the plane with keeper Iker Casillas, coach Vicente del Bosque and the golden trophy.

The team was reportedly received by the Spanish king after they rested in a hotel. They are also said to have met Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero before taking an open top bus ride through the national capital.

Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 on Sunday in extra time.

Spanish player Iniesta scored the winner in the 116th minute after both the sides were locked goal-less in the regulation 90 minutes in an ill-tempered grand finale which saw the ejection of Dutch defender John Heitinga in the 110th minute for his second booking and another 12 yellow cards being shown.

New world champions Spain, the eighth such team in history, now join Brazil (five titles), Italy (four), Germany (three), Argentina (two), Uruguay (two), France (one) and England (one).

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