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From the streets of Casablanca and Rabat to those of Barcelona and Paris, Moroccans all over the world celebrated with immeasurable joy the qualification of the Atlas Lions for the quarter-finals of the World Cup organized in Qatar. The feat of Spain’s killers was even hailed in several Arab countries.
From Casablanca, the temple of football, to Rabat, the placid capital of the kingdom, Moroccans exploded with joy on Tuesday, December 6, after the historic qualification of their national team in the quarter-finals of the World Cup-2022 at the expense of Spain.
At the end of an unbreathable suspense, songs, cries, tears, the cracking of smoke bombs, a strident hustle and bustle of horns and vuvuzelas celebrated the feat, at the end of the penalty shootout of the Atlas Lions, the first Arab selection to reach this stage of the competition.
In Rabat, at the final whistle, thousands of fans invaded the prestigious Avenue Mohammed-V in a good-natured atmosphere.
King Mohammed VI, wearing the red jersey with the green star and the national flag, was seen there aboard a white sedan circulating in the middle of the joyful crowd, according to videos posted on social networks.
????????????????| His Majesty King Mohammed VI, dressed in a national team jersey, celebrates Morocco’s qualification for the quarter-finals in Rabat with the Moroccan people.pic.twitter.com/YaDqesiDkB
— Morocco Intelligence (@MoroccoIntel) December 6, 2022
In a phone call, the Cherifian monarch praised the “historic performance” of the members of the national team.
“The most beautiful match in the history of Morocco!”
“We were millions behind Morocco. This team represents a spirit, a union,” exulted Imad Aït Ounejjar, a project manager, in a crowded trattoria in Casablanca.
“This victory is for Morocco, Africa, the Arab world and all the nations that believed in us. We are proud to be Moroccans,” enthused the young man.
In fact, the Atlas Lions are the last African or Arab selection still in the running in Qatar.
“I can’t believe it! This team is doing wonders! It’s so beautiful!” adds next Lamia Afria, 24 years old. “I feel proud, we did the unthinkable!”
“Magic”, decided Tourabi Abdellah, a loyal supporter Rabati. “The most beautiful match in the history of Morocco!!!”
For all of them, it is a dream come true after so many years of waiting and frustration.
Scenes of jubilation in Europe and the Arab world
The Atlas Lions have never gone so far in the world tournament. Before Monday, their best result in football’s premier competition was in 1986, when they reached the round of 16.
This epic duel took on the appearance of a derby: the Spanish coast is only 14 km from Tangier, on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Tens of thousands of Moroccan fans marched through the streets of several Spanish cities, wrapped in red flags and wearing green star jerseys, pushed behind the Lions to celebrate their country’s qualification.
Several Moroccan internationals play in the Spanish league such as striker Youssef En-Nesyri and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Sevilla FC), winger Ez Abde (Osasuna) and defender Jawad el-Yamiq (Real Valladolid).
National team star Achraf Hakimi, author of a daring panenka during the shot on goal which delivered his team, was meanwhile born in Madrid and trained at Real.
Moroccan supporters celebrated their heroes in France as well, notably in Paris and Strasbourg, or even in Belgium.
The Atlas Lions managed to win hearts inside and outside the borders of the Cherifian kingdom, especially in the Arab world, where scenes of joy broke out after their exploit against Spain.
From Iraq to Jordan, via the Palestinian Territories or Gaza, Palestinian supporters have even improvised a song in honor of the Moroccan eleven.
For their part, the Moroccan players posed in the post-match photos in Doha with the flag of Palestine.
Even amid an acute crisis between Morocco and Algeria, football has succeeded in uniting the two neighbours, with several Algerian internationals also hailing the Moroccan feat on social networks.
With AFP
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