Intro:

Thousands of fans poured into the streets of the capital Bogotá on Sunday to welcome home beaten quarter-finalists Colombia from the World Cup in Brazil.

Script:

Thousands of people mobbed the streets of Bogota to grab a glimpse of their heroes as Colombia's World Cup squad arrived home on Sunday.

The Colombian capital threw a massive party for coach Jose Pekerman and his squad after the Argentine led Colombia to the last eight for the first time. Los Cafeteros were narrowly beaten by hosts Brazil on Friday.

The players were led off the aircraft along a red carpet to an open-top bus. Their adoring supporters scrambled to shake hands, kiss or grab the autographs of their returning heroes.

"Radamel Falcao, we love you very much. I hope you are watching this.", James Rodriguez, Colombia's star forward and current top scorer at the tournament with six goals, told the fanatical crowd.

A huge crowd, many of them wearing the team's yellow shirt, hit the streets of Bogota early to get a prime place to see the bus.