Thousands of Catalans took to the streets last night to celebrate Spain's World Cup victory.

Around 75,000 people were reported to have been watching at a giant screen at Maria Cristina, close to Barca's Nou Camp stadium, while many more watched the match projected at other locations across the city.

The celebrations were focused around those areas and the centre of town, with large groups of supporters choosing to head to Canaletas, where Barca traditionally celebrate their titles.

Many fans were kitted out in the red of Spain, but numerous others preferred to stick to Barca colours, fiercely proud that seven of their players had started the final against Holland and that the Spanish side had adopted a playing philosophy similar to the one used by Pep Guardiola's side.

"Tonight was Barcelona against Holland and Barcelona won," said Noemi Gonzalez, who was celebrating in Plaza Catalunya.

"I have two flags; I am Catalan and I am Spanish, and I am so happy tonight, but it's also a victory for Barca," she added.

Joan Colomer agreed. "We have seven players in the Spanish team. Spain is nothing without Catalonia and the Spanish team is the same," he said.

But others were happy to show their allegiance to a unified nation.

"I am Spanish and I am proud to be Spanish. The Catalan extremism has gone too far. It's a good thing there are some Barca players in the team, but this triumph is one for the whole country," said Elvira Rodriguez.

As well as Spanish and Catalan flags, many fans wore shirts from other teams such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Espanyol.

Several fans of Barcelona's second club sang the praises of Andres Iniesta, partly for his winning goal in Johannesburg, but probably more because he dedicated it to their former captain Dani Jarque, who tragically passed away from a heart attack last year.

Fireworks went off and some plans climbed on newspaper kiosks and up trees, but the celebrations were, on the whole, much more subdued than when Barca conquered Europe and the world last year.

There was also less violence, although the police were on hand to interrupt potential disturbances and arrests seemed likely later on in the night after fans began to push over bins and cause disruption in the centre of the city.