Yesterday in the Spanish capital a handful of Atleti fans watched as the final piece of Estadio Vicente Calderón gave way to heavy machinery. The stadium is no more, even if work will take more time.

Throughout Thursday pedestrians were stopping by to take their last look at what used to be Estadio Vicente Calderón. By late afternoon there was a group watching the last pieces of the last portion of the western facade collapse.

We're now entering the final few weeks of demolition. Though the stadium is no more, time is required to clear the site. Tunnel under the stand will largely be burried and the Manzanares riverfront will become an extension of the municipal park, which used to end beside the stadium.

Demolition of Vicente Calderón began in February of 2019. Due to close proximity of residential buildings, work was progressing slow, with mitigation efforts to limit pollution, particularly with dust. First the lower C-shaped stands were demolished (all apart the main grandstand), then the upper sections gave way.

In mid-November of 2019 the M-30 tunnel under the main stand had a bypass created on what used to be the football field. This enabled demolition of the west side, too. Its final facade piece was the last element removed yesterday.

The stadium had served Atletico since 1966, ending its service in 2017, when Wanda Metropolitano was opened.

© MrManutebolo

© MrManutebolo

© MrManutebolo