France in the World Cup final: celebrations – and only a few arrests

France celebrated their entry into the World Cup final last night. The Morocco fans turned out to be good losers: There were only minor incidents nationwide. The police arrested 150 people.

Folk festival character in Paris with hour-long horn concerts on the Champs-Elysées: French flags hung from the car windows, but also Moroccan or Algerian flags, sometimes even from the same vehicle. Thousands of young people cheered France’s entry into the World Cup final.

“We’re in the final,” chanted the fans who supported France. But the Moroccan supporters were also everywhere in the crowds. In the bars of the capital, but also in Marseille or Bordeaux, the fans of both teams sometimes sat together in the same bars.

Recognition for players from Morocco

As the game progressed, the France fans felt that the final would work out. The national anthem was sung in the “La Cervoise” bar in the center of Paris from the 76th minute of the game: a few minutes later the 2-0 victory fell to deafening cheers. The game between France and Morocco was decided, France in the final.

And then, despite the cold, the fans immediately poured out onto the streets of Paris. Alan from Saint-Omer near Lille had come to the capital especially for this: “We drove four hours to Paris to celebrate. We are overjoyed. Everything is wonderful – a great game.”

The mood was a little different for Reda, who has both French and Moroccan nationality and was a little disappointed: “It’s a little bit because we would have liked to have had a star on our jersey. But as a Frenchman, I hope they can do it now . I’m celebrating too. I’m a little disappointed, but that’s okay.”

Many French had words of appreciation for the defeated Moroccan national team, like Pauline from Paris: “We are proud of them for reaching the semi-finals. Of course we are happy that France won. But we remain in a good spirit of the game and sport.”

150 arrests – no major riots

And so there was a lot of celebration on the Champs-Elysées, banging, and at times the boulevard was stormed. There were light clashes with the strongly represented police forces, who also used tear gas. Five thousand police officers secured Paris and the surrounding area. Just as many have been placed in the rest of France by the Home Office. A few right-wing extremist groups also caused minor disturbances.

In total, there were around 150 arrests and one fatal accident in Montpellier during the night in France. But no major unrest was reported even from the hotspots in Marseille, Nice or Lyon. The joy of the final on Sunday prevails.

Moroccans crossing their fingers

And some Moroccans from the French national team are crossing their fingers, like this motorcyclist who was out on the Champs-Elysés that night with a Moroccan flag on his back: “We are for France. As a Franco-Moroccan, I hope that they will beat Argentina.”