Santiago: On the pitch of Santiago’s Julio Martnez Pr¡danos National Stadium, Morocco’s ‘Atlas Lions’ collapsed in a mix of laughter, tears, and embraces. Some raised their arms to the sky, while others ran toward the Moroccan supporters’ section, packed with 43,253 fans.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the Moroccan fans chanted ‘Marruecos campeon!’ (Morocco champion) in unison, draped in flags, their hands trembling with joy. Santiago celebrated as if it were Casablanca on a national holiday. Phones lit up the stands like constellations, chants drowned out the stadium announcements, and the crowd’s joy filled every corner.
The first spark came in the 12th minute when Yassir Zabiri scored from a precise free kick, sending the Moroccan section into ecstasy. Zabiri doubled the lead in the 29th minute after a blistering run by Maamma, igniting the stands again. Every Moroccan counterattack drew roars that echoed through the stadium.
The Moroccan diaspora in Chile, joined by fans from Casablanca, Washington, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, the UK, Germany, and Finland, mingled with curious Chileans and casual spectators. The scene resembled a festive night in Casablanca, filled with cheers, songs, and improvised dances.
Youssef, who traveled 18 hours from Antofagasta with his daughter, expressed that the victory was more than just a win, but a symbol of national pride. He noted that the team carried the nation on their shoulders with dignity, courage, and faith.
On the pitch, captain Hossam Essadak lifted the trophy amid his teammates, while coach Mohamed Ouahbi celebrated the victory. Ouahbi expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for enabling them to live this dream, marking the achievement as a significant breakthrough.
The celebrations continued outside the stadium long after the medal ceremony. Drums and horns echoed along the avenues, Moroccan flags flew from car roofs and children’s shoulders. Santiago, for one night, had become Rabat.
Bahae Senari, a content creator, shared his indescribable emotions about witnessing Morocco’s first World Cup win. Mohamed Bahri, visiting from Ohio, admitted his initial fear before the match but recognized the team’s heart-driven performance and the impact of the new generation of coaches.
Adil, from Atlanta, tearfully highlighted that this victory proves the semi-final qualification in Qatar was no accident but the result of hard work. He emphasized the team’s readiness to give everything for Morocco, regardless of the opponent.
As the chants echoed throughout Santiago, ‘Santiago is Rabat tonight!’ it was clear that Morocco had not only won a title but had also sparked a movement – a promise of a generation daring to dream big and show that faith and passion can, at times, change history.