The cold rain of December did not dampen the ardor of supporters of the Petit Maghreb, Tuesday afternoon in Montreal, who celebrated in style the surprising victory of Morocco against Spain by singing and dancing in the middle of the street.
• Read also: Soccer World Cup: Historic victory for Morocco against Spain
“It’s a great honor, reacted Hamza Lahmi, a proud supporter whose family is from Morocco. This is the first time that a Maghreb country has qualified for the quarter-finals of a World Cup. »
His friends Chabik Selhi and Ryan Omar Yadi, of Algerian origin, shared his joy. Together, they proudly carried the large Moroccan flag.
Bounou the hero
A few moments earlier, inside the Tim-Gad café-restaurant, located on Jean-Talon Street, dozens and dozens of football fans were holding their breath during the penalty shootout.
Photo Benoit Rioux
Dances and songs. It was a party in the middle of the street, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in the Petit Maghreb district, in Montreal.
The saves of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who is a native of Montreal, initially ignited the place. Then, the explosion followed when Achraf Hakimi scored the decisive net on a daring “panenka”.
It took nerves of steel to push the ball in the middle, betting that the Spanish goalkeeper was going to compromise on one side or the other.
“We are talking about a new achievement for this Moroccan team, which has not yet had any defeats in this tournament, pointed out Mouad Guerib, watching his compatriots celebrate in the street. Even better, the only goal allowed is an own goal [face au Canada]. This time, against Spain, it was not an easy selection to beat. We did well defensively and for the shots on goal, it becomes a bit of luck. »
Photo Benoit Rioux
Hamza Lahmi (left), whose family is originally from Morocco, was accompanied by his Algerian-born friends Chabik Selhi and Ryan Omar Yadi to celebrate Morocco’s victory.
Soak up the atmosphere
While many praised the exploits of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, few supporters highlighted the fact that he was born in Montreal. The one nicknamed “Bono” was still a child when he moved to Morocco with his family, having rather grown up in Casablanca.
Nevertheless, thousands of kilometers from Morocco, it was a party! Particularly in this sector of rue Jean-Talon, between Pie-IX and Saint-Michel. Cars drove by sounding their horns.
“It’s extraordinary, reacted in turn Quebecer Sylvain Filiatrault, who came from Longueuil to follow the match in Le Petit Maghreb. I like to immerse myself in the atmosphere of different cultures. After Canada’s elimination, I still have a soft spot for African countries and Morocco is the only one left. I also like the outspokenness of the Moroccan coach [Walid Regragui]. He relies on the pride of representing the country. »
Algerian rivalry
As the party continued in the street, another supporter of Algerian origin, who preferred to remain anonymous, let it be known that he would have secretly preferred a victory for Spain.
In his case, he admitted to still having on his heart the defeat of Algeria against Cameroon during the qualifications for this World Cup.
“If Morocco does too well, we will hear about it for years,” he said, smirking, recalling that there is still a rivalry with Algeria.
Photo Benoit Rioux
Morocco fans watched on inside the Tim-Gad cafe-resto in Montreal during the penalty shootout.
And now Portugal
Naz, the manager of the café-restaurant formerly called “Le Sable d’Or”, expected such a frenzy for this match against Spain and predicts that it will be even crazier on Saturday, during the quarter-finals against Portugal.
“It’s very good and it’s a few more pennies,” noted the manager.
Photo Benoit Rioux
Mouad Guerib, who is of Moroccan origin, was delighted with Morocco’s victory against Spain.
Even the famous supporter of Algerian origin wishing a defeat of Morocco will not want to miss this meeting. Imagine the elimination, one after the other, of the two main countries of the Iberian Peninsula…
“Bono” the pride of Montreal
Having become a national hero in Morocco following his role in the victory against Spain, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is also, for the most chauvinistic, a Montreal pride.
If he retains dual Moroccan and Canadian nationality, the one nicknamed “Bono” was only a child when he left the Quebec metropolis with his family. The athlete was precisely eight years old when, in 1999, he joined the Wydad Athletic Club, in Casablanca, in order to continue his development.
“I grew up in Morocco and I always dreamed of playing for the Atlas Lions,” Bounou said earlier this year in an interview with media from his professional club, Sevilla FC.
Interesting fact: the goalkeeper then specified that he had been approached, when he was younger, to represent Canada. Benito Floro, who was the coach of the Canadian team between 2013 and 2016, had contacted him.
“I had not yet played an international match with Morocco at that time,” said Bounou, who then had the freedom to choose his national team, which is no longer the case.
strange duel
On the sidelines of the match between Morocco and Canada on December 1 in the group stage of the World Cup, Bounou had shown that he was not insensitive to this confrontation.
“It’s strange to play against Canada, the country where I was born,” he agreed at a press conference.
Bono and his compatriots had won by the score of 2 to 1.