At the Maison du Maroc of the international city of Paris,
The faces are already serious after a quarter of an hour of play on the faces of the Moroccan supporters when finally, after various miseries in the RER and the metro (hello RATP!), 20 minutes arrives at the house of Morocco, in the heart of the international city of Paris. It must be said that Théo Hernandez has already air-conditioned the assistance from the 5th minute.
The buffet at the back of the room, which smells of Moroccan scents, is abandoned and all eyes converge on the screen. At the yellow card of Sofiane Boufal in the French area, the clamor gradually rises. “Frankly, it’s severe, reacts Naouel, Moroccan jersey on the back and comfortably installed in the exhibition hall transformed for the occasion into a fan-zone. But it will. When Mbappé then Giroud eat the leaf, cries and applause ring out.
“Win on penalties”
But is it a load shedding? A boycott? The image and the sound cut off suddenly, provoking the anger of the students present. Some ask that we go to TF1, BeIN in Arabic having some connection problems this evening. But after a few manipulations, the match is broadcast again. It is ultimately the French version of the Qatari channel that allows the hundred or so students to encourage the Atlas Lions. It’s still 1-0 at 38′, Mehdi and his friends are getting impatient.
On the exceptional return of El-Yamiq, the evening public rose in one man. But no, Lloris saved his family. Rebelote three minutes later on a corner. The Moroccans are pushing, the 300 or so students too. But while the Moroccan players lay siege to the French goal, nothing. At halftime, it’s 1-0 for the Blues.
It’s snack time. Conversations come alive in Arabic, French and English. Many predict a victory for Morocco on the wire, 2-1. “They are able to score at the very end of the second period, assures Mehdi. Or win on penalties. Hajar nods: “Well, I feel really average. »
“If we go to extra time already, that gives us a chance”
Resumption, the Moroccans push always more, and in the room, the fervor is as strong as in an Al Bayt Stadium totally committed to the Moroccan cause. Impossible to exchange with anyone: the more the clock ticks, the more the faces become tense, even if hope is still there. “If we go to overtime already, that gives us a chance,” breathes Ali, almost breathless. But Kolo Muani showers the last hopes. It’s consternation: some leave the room, annoyed. At 2-0, hope died at home to Morocco.
“We still had a hell of a journey but so close to the goal, aaaaaaah, it’s hard, plague Mehdi, who uses a soda. We will see the positive tomorrow but tonight, we just want to go to bed. ” With an exceptional course, disappointment at the height: no one wants to comment on the evening, even if the Atlas Lions are applauded at the final whistle. No passage through the mixed zone for our Moroccan evening supporters, and curtain. Horns and fireworks go away. “We wanted more,” breathes Hajar, annoyed.