Fans in Madrid passionately celebrated the victory of Team Spain in their World Cup Round of 16 match on Monday after witnessing a hard-earn win against Portugal.
The fierce match was broadcast at Plaza de Colon where supporters gathered together to watch the tense Iberian derby.
Failing to find breakthroughs in normal time, Spain finally broke the deadlock in the first minute of stoppage time. Substitute Mikel Merino scored, helping Spain reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals and ending Cristiano Ronaldo's bid to lift football's biggest trophy.
"It feels really great. Honestly, I was extremely nervous and it was tough just now, but now I feel wonderful — we finally won. Spain kept fighting until the very end, kept playing with determination, and Portugal also played really well," said Paula, a Spain supporter.
"I feel great, because Spain won and that's my country. I'm also very happy, as we have advanced to the quarterfinals. Next, we will see if Spain can go all the way and win the World Cup," said Diego, another Spanish fan.
Spain, who have yet to concede a goal at the tournament, will face Belgium in the quarterfinal in Seattle on July 10.
Supporters in Madrid celebrate as Spain defeats Portugal in World Cup 1/8 Final
Hong Kong's first-ever five-year economic and social development plan will provide a strategic roadmap for the city's future while helping it better integrate into the country's overall development, said Starry Lee Wai-king, president of Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo).
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government launched a public consultation in mid-June on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (2026-2030), the city's first economic and social development blueprint since its return to the motherland in 1997.
The plan will take a comprehensive approach to development, covering everything from the economic side -- industrial innovation, technology and finance -- to public services like education, housing and elderly care. Key priorities include advancing the Northern Metropolis, deepening regional cooperation, and aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Lee, also a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's highest organ of state power, said the plan would capitalize on Hong Kong's unique strengths under the "one country, two systems" framework and provide clearer direction for the city's long-term development.
"By proactively aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong's five-year plan, under the leadership of the chief executive, provides a forward-looking, strategic and operable guiding document for Hong Kong's future development. It is a milestone in the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'," she said in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) .
All LegCo members are scheduled to travel to Beijing from July 19 to 25 for a study and inspection program on national affairs. According to Lee, the visit comes at an important time as the country embarks on the implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan while Hong Kong formulates its own first five-year blueprint. The program, she said, will deepen Hong Kong lawmakers' understanding of national development and better equip them to support the HKSAR government's implementation of the plan.
"As the country begins implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong formulates its first five-year plan, this study program will greatly enhance legislators' understanding of national conditions and development. I believe it will help them better support the HKSAR government in implementing the first five-year plan after they return to Hong Kong," Lee said.
The LegCo president emphasized that the Northern Metropolis will serve as a key platform for developing Hong Kong into an international hub for innovation, science and technology while advancing the city's integration into national development.
She said the project will better align with the country's strategy of promoting the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, creating new momentum for Hong Kong's high-quality growth.
She also highlighted the newly reconstructed Huanggang Port as a key infrastructure project set to enhance connectivity within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Once operational, the port will adopt a new and streamlined clearance model, reducing average customs clearance time from around 30 minutes to about five minutes.
Lee said Hong Kong's first five-year plan will set a clear direction for the city's medium- and long-term development, bringing together the government, businesses and the wider community to work toward shared goals and create a better future for Hong Kong.
The two-month public consultation will run until August 14, during which the HKSAR government is holding a series of consultation sessions to gather views from LegCo members, representatives from various sectors and the public.
Hong Kong's first five-year plan to chart course for deeper national integration, says top lawmaker
