Morocco in the semi-finals of the World Cup: “A historic day” at Café Balzac in Saint-Brieuc – Saint-Brieuc

General tea tour! At the Café Balzac in Saint-Brieuc, it is 4 p.m. a few minutes after. They are about thirty Moroccan supporters ready to encourage the Atlas Lions. “I hope we’ll win,” Elyasse thinks out loud. And how ! One of the adults promised the little boy a can of soda on Morocco’s first goal.

At the quarter of an hour of play, a red flag flanked by a green star is hung next to the giant screen, just to put all the chances on the Moroccan side.

A few hundred meters away, they are about forty in front of the two screens of the premises of the Portuguese association of Saint-Brieuc. “And still, there are people who work”, warns Anabela, the vice-president of the association, who takes care of the bar.

The first minutes are linked, the Portuguese fans seem serene. It must be said that João Felix’s teammates dominate the game. But without scoring. “You have to be careful, Moroccans are good,” warns Miguel.

41st, deliverance

30th, 35th, the attacks of the Lions follow one another. At the Café Balzac, the supporters are standing, clenching their fists, their eyes riveted on the screen. No, it’s not for this time, they sit down again, huffing. But for a short time. The 41st brings the deliverance with the header of En-Nesyri who finds the way to the nets of the Portuguese goalkeeper. Mounir, Jamal, Mohammed and the others burst into joy and hug each other.

In the Portuguese local, it growls. But there’s no question of being discouraged. “It’s not over,” says Damien, as if to invigorate the supporters.

It’s already break time. “The team is good. She defends, but she also attacks. The players have confidence, they have nothing to lose,” analyzes Mounir. “We are not Switzerland, we are Morocco! “. “Our players play with heart, that’s what’s good,” rejoices Jamal.

“We will hold on until the end, we will still be there in the final! »

” It’s not over ! »

On the Portuguese side, the second half begins. The atmosphere is heavier. “You have to smile, Mario, it’s not over! “, launches an old. Especially since Portugal continues to attack to equalize. But nothing helps. The minutes pass and the supporters hold their heads in their hands.

At Balzac, Mounir and his family never stop standing up and applauding each gesture of defense by their team. 81st, the parade of the Moroccan goalkeeper is greeted with loud cries of relief. At the 86th, we stamp our feet, we stampede at the Café Balzac while waiting for the minutes to pass. It still remains to hold the eight minutes of stoppage of play. And it is the deliverance for the Atlas Lions. We shout and congratulate each other. “It’s a historic day,” says a more than happy Mounir. “We will hold on until the end, we will still be there in the final! “, he predicts, the smile from ear to ear.