World Cup's Golden Glow Can't Mask UEFA's Bigger Issues The streets of Madrid erupted into a sea of red and gold as Spain celebrated its World Cup triumph.
The country's rich footballing heritage and dedicated fans have been a major factor in this success. However, beneath the euphoria lies a more complex reality.
The intense emotional investment that spectators have in their national teams was on full display at Madrid's airport, where players were mobbed by fans before being paraded through the city.