British News Agency

The sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro's famous beach was packed for several blocks Saturday night by a crowd the city estimated at 1.6 million.

Many waited for hours or even days to get a good spot, as wealthier fans anchored dozens of boats near the beach and people filled beachside apartments.

Firefighters sprayed water, and free drinking water was handed out to cool fans gathered near the pop queen's stage ahead of the concert, where temperatures exceeded 30C (86F). The temperature was about 27C during the late-night show.

Madonna, 65, stayed on stage for over two hours, performing songs such as Like a Prayer, Vogue and Express Yourself from 10.45 pm, wrapping up her greatest hits tour that began late last year.

"Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, with the mountains, with Jesus," Madonna told the crowd, referring to the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop the city's massive mountain. "It is mesmerizing," she said.

Brazilian pop singers Anitta and Pabllo Vittar performed, as did young musicians from samba schools.

More than 3,000 police were deployed around the concert venue, where the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart have also drawn crowds in the millions. Authorities used a crowd management strategy similar to that used for the city's famous New Year's Eve celebrations.