Tens of thousands of Colombians took to the streets of Bogota to catch a glimpse of their national soccer squad on Sunday as the World Cup delegation arrived home for an honorary tour of the capital.
|
According to newspaper El Tiempo, hundreds of soccer fans had gathered near the airport where the players, coach Jose Pekerman, and soccer federation officials arrived from Brazil where the World Cup is ongoing.
|
After their arrival, the players — responsible for Colombia’s most successful World Cup in history — boarded a double decker bus and began a glory tour though Bogota.
|
Tens of thousands had found a place alongside the route from the airport to the city’s central Bolivar Park or escorted the players bus on motorcycles and bicycles.
|
The Bogota city government said that more than a 100 thousand people had gathered in the packed park to honor their team.
|
In response to the massive support in Bogota, the players added some joy to that of during the World Cup by presenting a post-tournament dance instruction.
Colombia was eliminated from the World Cup on Friday when losing 2-1 to host Brazil in the quarter finals.
MORE:Colombia Loses 1-2 To Brazil, Ending Historic World Cup Run In Thrilling Quarterfinal
The performance of the team, particularly that of tournament top striker James Rodriguez, was unprecedented as Colombia never had been able to reach the quarter finals.
MORE:In Spite Of World Cup Defeat Against Brazil, Colombia Finds Reason To Celebrate
President Juan Manuel Santos took to the airwaves on Saturday and addressed the nation dressed in a soccer jersey rather than a suit. According to the President, “nobody can deny that it was Colombia that added joy and good soccer” to the World Cup.