Supporters poured into Paris’s freezing Champs-Elysees boulevard on Wednesday after a World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco which for millions tugged at the heartstrings, as “Les Bleus” won 2-0 to reach the final for a second time in a row.
“We just want to celebrate our win and we can really feel it will get crazy,” said student Kerene Massuka who came with a friend.
“I am sad and proud at the same time”, said Thomas Bregas, a young Franco-Moroccan wrapped in a Morocco flag.
Fans were flanked by hundreds of police trucks securing the area as they let off fireworks and flares to the sound of honks and cheers.
Crowds of supporters were seen entering the Christmas-decorated boulevard after the final whistle, where authorities were bracing for tens of thousands despite temperatures around 0 Celsius.
France is home to a large Moroccan community, many of whom have dual citizenship. The stakes were high on both sides.
Morocco had a shot at becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup final, but France are now poised to become the first team to retain their World Cup title in 60 years on Sunday.
Speaking from Qatar, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “I want the French to now enjoy this simple form of happiness.”
He added that Moroccans had nothing to be ashamed of after an “extraordinary” World Cup journey.
A Reuters report said or reported by Reuters
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