Several thousand Moroccan supporters flocked to the Champs-Elysées on Tuesday evening to celebrate the historic qualification for the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar at the expense of Spain. Brandishing the national flag or made up in red and green colors, the supporters gathered near the Arc de Triomphe, in the middle of smoke bombs and under the surveillance of numerous police officers. The crowd grew as the evening progressed.
Horn blocked, cars mingled with the celebrations on the famous avenue, the usual gathering place for supporters of the France team. Despite the striking cold, the sidewalks, part of the roadway and even the adjacent streets were roamed by supporters, in a good-natured atmosphere.
“It’s an indescribable joy, we came as a family with a wife and child, it’s an incredible achievement, Spain is not a small team,” said Mohammed Rhezrani, 55, teacher. It is a national holiday for us. »
“History”
“We are proud of our country, we believe in the final, the road is beautiful and long. We have already beaten some very good teams,” said Nawel Mchich, an 18-year-old student. Morocco took out Spain on penalties on Tuesday (0-0 aet) to secure the first quarter-final of the World Cup in its history. And only the fourth on the African continent, after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
“It’s one of the best days of my life. The best day of my life in football, in any case. Because today, we wrote history, reacted from Qatar midfielder Sofiane Boufal. It’s incredible, these are emotions that are indescribable. It’s historic. Football in Morocco is crazy, everyone lives for football. We saw people celebrating in the streets, and we are proud of it. My mother has gone mad. It’s the most important thing in my life. Seeing my mother crying and happy, I can’t ask for anything more. »