TNN & Agencies
Morocco fans are painting an entire continent and more red following their historic win over Spain in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday night.
A spirited Morocco beat former champions Spain on penalties to become the first Arab-African nation to win a place in the World Cup last eight.
No sooner did the final whistle blew, you could hear horns blaring on the streets, people celebrating big time at FIFA fans festivals, waving flags for car tops, cheering through Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village. It seemed all of Morocco had trooped into Doha!
But the celebrations somehow still seem endless – from the fan zones to the cultural district to market places and long into the night.
Morocco have been dubbed as the ‘dark horse’ among Arab teams and with Qatar declaring the FIFA World Cup 2022 as an event for the Arab world and all Arabs – the love and delight for Morocco’s big jump at football’s mega show is making the locals tremendously proud.
“We knew it. We have a super coach in Walid Regragui and a well-knit team,” said Abdelkarim adorned with the Morocco flag on his back.
“We have scaled past Spain, and I feel we can now beat Portugal too! And when that happens you won’t even be able to talk to me at this place,” laughed Fatma Adir from Casablanca.
Back in Moroccon capital Rabat, people danced in joy watching the match on big screens on streets and market corners.
Much similar was the scene in Paris where Moroccans celebrated on the Champs-Elysees.
Morocco fans also celebrated in Madrid in Spain and Gaza in Palestine.
Meanwhile in Germany, more than 1,000 Morocco fans took over the streets in Dusseldorf to celebrate.
According to the police, around 1,200 people gathered near the main train station. Roads were closed to traffic and the police was on site with a large contingent, reported dpa.
Fan celebrations also took over the streets in the city of Essen, the police reported. Those celebrating were carrying Moroccan flags and playing drums, while drivers joined the party honking their horns.
So far, celebrations have been peaceful, the police said.
Morocco will meet Portugal in the World Cup quarter-final to be played at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
