Badalona and Barcelona were two of the epicentres of the celebration of Spain's victory in the World Cup, with giant screens gathering thousands of fans.
Ferran Torres' goal in extra time unleashed madness across the province of Barcelona. Badalona and Barcelona became the main stages of a celebration that united thousands of people around the Spanish national team, which achieved its second World Cup star, 16 years after the historic triumph of 2010 in South Africa.
Giant Screens in Badalona: Albiol's Initiative
In Badalona, Mayor Xavier García Albiol promoted the installation of a giant screen that drew a crowd to the city centre. The initiative, according to municipal sources, was enthusiastically received from the very beginning. Attendees sang the national anthem and cheered every goal from the team, on a night that Albiol himself described as “historic for the city.”
The screen was set up in Plaza de la Vila, where hundreds of people watched the match live. “It has been incredible to see so many neighbours united celebrating a sports victory,” declared a spokesperson for the Badalona City Council. The organisation was managed by the council, which also provided security and emergency services to ensure the smooth running of the event.
The celebration in Badalona continued into the early hours of the morning, with fireworks and chants filling the streets of the city centre. The local bars and restaurants were also packed with fans who wanted to experience the final together.
Barcelona: Controversy and Late Enthusiasm
In Barcelona, the installation of the giant screen was not without controversy. Mayor Jaume Collboni (PSC) had initially shown reluctance, according to opposition groups. The PP and VOX criticised Collboni for “dragging his feet” and even considered locations away from the centre, such as the possibility of placing it in Cabo Verde, according to a joke made by his sports councillor.
Ultimately, political and civic pressure forced Collboni to install the screen in a central location: Plaza de Catalunya. Thousands of Barcelonians gathered to watch the match, in a festive atmosphere that contrasted with the initial doubts of the municipal government. PP councillor Dani Sirera celebrated on social media that “thousands of Barcelonians have been able to cheer on Spain together,” following a long request from the opposition.
The celebration in Barcelona was massive, with traffic disruptions and a special deployment of the Urban Guard. Fans filled the city centre streets, waving Spanish flags and chanting that could be heard well into the night.
A Call Across the Province
Beyond the two major cities, other municipalities in the province also joined the festivities. In L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, residents recorded videos with fireworks and shouts of joy that went viral on social media. In Santa Coloma de Gramenet, several bars set up screens and the streets were filled with fans.
The victory of the Spanish national team has provided a moral boost for the province, which experienced a night of unity around sports. “We needed a joy like this,” commented a Badalona resident who watched the match from the square. The victory also had an economic impact, with bars and restaurants reporting full capacity.
The Spanish national team was crowned world champions after defeating their opponent in extra time, with a goal from Ferran Torres that is now part of Spanish football history. The celebration in the province of Barcelona reflected the widespread enthusiasm across the country.
Now, fans are awaiting the arrival of the players in Spain to pay tribute to them. The Badalona City Council has already announced that it is considering organising a welcome event if the team visits the city. For now, the night of July 19, 2026, will be remembered by the people of Badalona and Barcelona as the night when Spain became world champions again.
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