“We are not afraid of Mbappe, we have Ziyech!” : Moroccans in paradise on the Champs Elysees

Joy, smiles, smoke… The party ended this Saturday evening on the Champs-Elysées lit up with Christmas decorations. Moroccan fans, intoxicated by the victory over Portugal (1:0) and the first access to the semi-finals of the World Cup, communicated to the drums and clapping. “I am very happy, this is a historic event! I was working just before coming, I didn’t even watch the match because I was too stressed, but we are in the semi-finals. It’s crazy,” laughs Miriam, wearing a red flag with a green star on her cheeks.

Before reaching the most beautiful avenue in the world, the party was already in full swing in the subway. Several Moroccan lovers were standing on the seats, banging on the windows and hugging each other, although five minutes ago they did not even know each other. After the police closed the Arc de Triomphe, euphoria supporters had to walk down small alleys near the metro exit to hopefully take part in the celebrations on the Champs-Élysées. In front of the Qatari embassy, ​​several Moroccan supporters set off fireworks and then shot at Cristiano Ronaldo, simulating his famous celebration with the crowd chanting “Suuu”.

Sami, 68, also attended with a smile on his face. “This is the greatest victory of my life. I lived in the 1986 epic (elimination in 1/8 finals) and she has nothing to do with it… We are in the top four qualifiers in the world, it’s sensational,” he says enthusiastically with the Moroccan flag on his shoulders, before paying tribute to Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui: “He is a hero, I thank him for these emotions. »

And this victory was celebrated not only by Moroccans. Algerian fans were present on the Champs Elysees to thank the anniversaries. “Today is the victory of the Maghreb. I am Algerian, but I feel this victory as if it were ours. The Arab team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, it’s just great, ”lights Ahmed with the flag of Algeria on his back. This communication between Moroccans and Algerians continued when two men climbed onto lampposts and waved a chain with the flags of the two countries, as well as Tunisia or Senegal, to pay homage to Africa. “This victory unites all nations. This is a victory for the African continent, a cause for great pride. It will inspire all nations,” Samir abounds.

“We met with big teams, I see that we are going to the end”

Now, how far will the Atlas Lions go? After coming out of a difficult group with Croatia and Belgium in particular, defeating the Spanish favorites and then the Portuguese, Morocco’s dream came true. “We’re going to win, we’re determined, it’s a feat that almost never happens and we feel like there’s real unity in this team thanks to Walid Regraga. We have met with big teams, so I see that we are going to the end,” predicted Muhsin. The same story with Ayoub, who sees Morocco win the Grail: “We believed in it from the very beginning. We have proven that African football has a real level. »

And before reaching the final, the Moroccans will have to face a new big piece: the tricolor world champions or the English finalists of the Euro. And if they basically want to play France because they “cheer for both teams”, they are not necessarily afraid of Kylian Mbappé. “Are we afraid of Kylian Mbappe? Absolutely not ! We have Hakim Ziyech, also a genius who can make a difference,” laughs Ryan, who came to the Champs Elysees with his family.