PARIS, FRANCE – French fans erupted with joy as their team beat Morocco 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday, July 9. Small crowds of fans danced and cars adorned with French flags honked their horns on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris on Friday, July 10, as Les Bleus advanced to the World Cup semi-finals after a victory against Morocco.
“At first, we were just waiting to see what would happen, then as soon as the first goal went in, it was incredible. It was just pure joy. Now, I think we’re going to celebrate a little with our friends, then we’ll see what happens next, for the semi-finals,” one fan said.
“We’re going to the final, the World Cup final. And the final, guys, are we just there to participate, or are there to win it? We’re going to win the final!” another fan declared.
France captain Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty but curled in a superb goal on the hour as France struck twice in six minutes to brush aside Morocco 2-0 and book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals.
On the Champs-Élysées, cars drove by holding French and Moroccan flags. Fans of France, home to a substantial Maghrebin diaspora, cheered and shouted, while some of those supporting Morocco praised the friendship between the two nations.
The French, bidding to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, face either Belgium or Spain in the semi-finals on July 14.
Source: Reuters
