It began with laughter, singing and chanting in Montreal’s Little Maghreb neighborhood on Wednesday, but after France led 2-0 in the World Cup semi-finals, Moroccan fans had to accept that their team’s dream run was over. has gone.
At a packed cafe on Jean-Talon Street, many people got up and left after France scored their second goal, unable to watch the final minute that won the game for the reigning World Cup champions.
They had arrived expecting more history, after Morocco became the first Arab or African nation to make it so far in the tournament. At the Café Sable d’Or – usually frequented almost exclusively by men – small children and women were anxiously watching the match.
After France took an early lead, Mohamed Rafi said, “They are winning, but we can still come back.” “The players are a bit more tense but we still have a chance.”
FIFA World Cup: Morocco beat Portugal, became the first African team to reach the semi-finals
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Moroccan-born Bouchara Dehak admitted he had nerves of his own and said it was “the hope of all Moroccans” that the country advance to Sunday’s final against Argentina. Sarah Deas, 26, originally from Tunisia, said before kickoff that emotions were especially high because France was the opposing team.
“They will beat their colonizers,” he said, in reference to the fact that Morocco was under French rule for 44 years before gaining independence in 1956.
After the final whistle, it was not all gloom as some of the fans gathered outside said they were proud that Morocco had climbed to such heights.
“It’s sad, but that’s the way it is…. We made it to the semi-finals,” said 24-year-old Issam Quaya, who is originally from Morocco. “It was a first time and a real achievement. I hope they come back and go all the way next time.
Algeria-born Badreddine Benchek said he was disappointed because Morocco was representing the whole of Africa and the Arab world.
“I really wish they had reached the final, but this is football. And it is really an honor to see Morocco go this far.”
In the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough of Montreal, France fans celebrate their team’s victory. On Saint-Denis Street, people were driving by honking horns and waving French flags.
“It was a crazy game; Morocco has a great team. They played well, they tried to beat us, but we are France,” said 22-year-old Maxime Couteau, who was parading upbeat pop music from a large speaker on Saint-Denis street, accompanied by his friend Simon Derry. There was also the French flag in the form of a cape.
Couto, who moved to Montreal from the Paris region four years ago, said he hopes his country can win its third World Cup _ and second in a row.
Meanwhile in Toronto, fans at Real Sports Bar wore Moroccan flags, jerseys and caps and sang the North African country’s national anthem.
Asma Boufrari, 28, of Mississauga, Ont., was one of dozens of people who lined up at the sports bar ahead of the 2 p.m. match. “Obviously, we are very proud of Moroccans for getting to this point,” said Boufrari, who lived in Morocco until the age of 20.
“We’ve gotten to the point, it doesn’t matter if we win or lose, at least we tried.”
After the game, Moroccan and French fans mingled outside the bar, sharing their highlights from the game, waving flags and congratulating each team on their performance.
Lahcan Oussa said that it was “a good tournament” for Morocco, even though the team did not reach the final. “We have created history, it is the first time in African history that a team has reached the semi-finals,” Osa said.
Mustaba Karaoui, 20, of Toronto, watched the match at a bar draped in vandal flags. He said he was proud of Morocco’s performance.
“He had a very good last game,” said Karoui, who hails from Morocco but is recognized as a Berber. “Today they played very well but unfortunately France is very powerful…. It’s football, you know, somebody’s going to win in the end.”
Tom Langron, who lives in Toronto but is from France, waved the French flag and chanted “Allez les bleus!” with friends. “We won, it’s the best day of our lives,” said Michael Weiss, 21, smiling ear-to-ear. “We’re going to win a second time,” he said, predicting a defeat for Argentina on Sunday.
— With files from Jessica Smith in Toronto.
© 2022 The Canadian Press