A hero's welcome: Spain's victorious Women's World Cup side parade trophy through Madrid

Spain began their reign as Women’s World Cup champions by arriving home to a hero’s welcome on the streets of Madrid.

Fans packed the streets of the Spanish capital on Monday night as the victorious La Roja paraded through with the trophy on an open-top bus.

The players later got off the bus and took to a stage, where match winner and captain – who scored the only goal in a narrow 1-0 win over England in Australia on Sunday – was tossed up in the air by teammates.

The side had earlier touched down at Barajas international airport, where star defender Ivana Andres lifted the trophy as she walked off the plane from Australia.

It is the first time Spain has won the competition since its inception in 1991.