Moroccan supporters have heaped praise on the Atlas Lions despite losing 2-0 to France in the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday.
Morocco made history becoming the first African side to reach the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup, following their 1-0 win over Portugal at the quarter finals but they fell short against holders.
France took an early lead through Theo Hernandez’s scrambled fifth minute goal, after Morocco lost key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting line-up.
Substitute Kolo Muani made it 2-0 in the 79th minute to ensure they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe’s deflected shot 11 minutes from time.
Below are comments from some Moroccan fans:
"They played a great game but luck wasn't on our side," said supporter Oussama Abdouh in Casablanca.
"Still, we stood up to the title-holders, that was great.
"Beyond the World Cup, this team made us dream until the end, and just for that, I raise my hat to them."
"We missed the opportunity of the century," Hakim Salama said.
"The national team has been performing miracles since the start of the World Cup," Rachid Sabbiq, a street trader in the working-class Derb Sultan district of Casablanca, said before the match.
"It doesn't matter whether they win or lose -- they've won the respect and admiration of all Moroccans, and that's priceless," he said.
"In this neighbourhood, we love football, so of course the national team's victories make us dream," said teenager Mohamed Nadifi, a teenager whose idol is winger Sofiane Boufal.
"Not only have the Lions made us happy but they also allowed us to get business going again" despite rough economic times for many Moroccans, said trader Khalid Alaoui.
"They held the Moroccan flag high, and for that, we can never thank them enough," Touria Matrougui said.