Wrapped in yellow and red flags, Spaniards danced and piggy-backed in joy in the streets Saturday in deafening celebrations after watching their team beat France 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
Thousands watching the match on giant screens in front of Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium burst into deafening yells and cries of "Viva Espana" after Xabi Alonso scored Spain's second goal, minutes from the end.
"It was a spectacular match. We are in the semi-finals and we have beaten France, our great rivals," said one fan, Ricardo, 20, dressed in a hat and shirt in the red and yellow national colours.
Cars and motorbikes honked their horns up and down Madrid's Castellana avenue, flares smoked and the odd firework banged as the crowd dispersed into the night yelling Alonso's name.
I am proud. We are champions," said another fan, Nacho, 15, a flag wrapped round his shoulders.
Source: AFP
