Endless celebrations run into the night in Morocco after the final whistle against Portugal in the quarterfinals. The Atlas Lions have just qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup, a first for an African nation. In Casablanca, Rabat, Kenitra or Marrakech, the atmosphere is indescribable.
Morocco is a fascinating team. As the pressure mounts and the level of play increases, the Atlas Lions are proving that they are tough as nails in this World Cup. They have achieved what no African team has ever done since the World Cup began in 1930. It took almost a century to have an African country in the semi-finals of a World Cup. The feat has resounded in Morocco. All the cities are invaded by overexcited supporters who came out to celebrate this historic day for Moroccan and continental soccer. And the pride is felt by a whole people who expected a performance that will be recorded in the annals of football. In the heart of Casablanca, motorists even had trouble driving in some streets invaded by thousands of fans waving flags or riding their motorcycles. A deafening chorus of horns continues to animate the white city ready to celebrate this historic success all night.
"We played the best teams and beat them all. We are very happy after this game. We will win Incha'Allah France," exclaims a fan who came with his flag on the Grand Boulevard Mohamed Zerktouni in Casablanca. In front of the famous towers called "twin center", Moroccans have massed to sing, dance, light smoke, just to celebrate an unprecedented achievement. The majority immortalize this communion with their phone.
For another who also came to celebrate this victory, "Morocco's success is first and foremost a victory of a group. No player is above. It is a common performance. It is incredible and we are very happy with the support of the friendly African countries. In the audience, several expatriates from African countries came out to celebrate this achievement.
Scenes of jubilation in Casablanca
"We wrote the history
The pride is read on all faces. "We have achieved what no African and Arab selection had managed. So we wrote history for Africa and the Arab world," said another fan. For him, the Atlas Lions can even repeat this feat in the semi-finals. And this is the general feeling among the fans who want more after having taken out two great countries of world soccer: Spain and Portugal.
"I can't find the words to describe how I feel. It is really incredible as a Moroccan, African and Arab. We are very proud," said Ali Azzedine. "For the next match, as we say in Morocco 'li dja marhaba' (The one who comes, we take)", he adds.
"The gods of soccer were with us"
"Until now, I can't believe we are in the semi-finals. I have no words and I get congratulations from all my friends who are not Moroccan. I was very afraid of the fatigue, but the players managed. I hope we will recover the injured for the semi-final", says Aymane El.
"In the first half, Portugal hit the bar. In the 80th minute, as soon as I saw Bounou take out Joao Felix's shot, I told myself that we were going to win. The soccer gods were with us," adds this fan who works as a developer.
"We're waiting for France"
Journalist, Younes Saoudi still can't believe it after this victory. He went out to gloat in the main streets of Casablanca. "We are among the forty best teams in the world. We are also the first African and Arab team to reach the Golden Four of the World Cup with selections such as Croatia and Argentina who have a soccer history," he told SNA.
"Morocco is now writing its history, writing the history of Africa because it is a standard bearer. My joy is indescribable, it is a cocktail of emotions and especially pride," said Saoudi.
Many of the fans surveyed by SNA in Casablanca only dream of one match: playing against France in the semi-final. Almost none of them really want a Morocco-England match.
The party is still going strong in the fan zones at the esplanade of the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, the Morocco Mall and Anfa Place.
A moment that will last a lifetime 🇲🇦🥹#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
