Silence replaced the sound of vuvuzelas, and disappointment followed the excitement. In Rabat, Morocco's defeat to France (0-2) on Thursday evening in the World Cup quarterfinals broke fans' hearts and hopes, but the pride stirred by the Atlas Lions' campaign remained unwavering.

Saad Azirar (18) tries to digest the shock: "It was a very complicated match for Morocco." Despite the difficulty of accepting the result, "France deserved to win."

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"I was hoping we would win and reach the semifinals, but things didn't go that way," regrets Mustafa Al-Qarni (24). With this exit, Morocco, the last Arab and African representative, leaves the World Cup, achieving a lesser result than in 2022 in Qatar, when they reached the semifinals before losing by the same score to the same opponent. Before the match, as with the team's other games, excitement peaked in the Moroccan capital. On the balcony of a packed café in the city center and in the nearby square, a crowd waving Moroccan flags or wearing red and green scarves eagerly awaited the start of the match. As if they were in the stadium, fans stood to sing the national anthem in unison. Every Moroccan attack ignited enthusiasm: shouts, hands over mouths, and fans clinging to each other under the pressure of tension. When Yassine Bounou, the last line of defense for the Atlas Lions, saved Kylian Mbappé's penalty in the 28th minute, the crowd burst into joy, jumping from their chairs in happy chaos. But when Mbappé scored in the 60th minute, a heavy silence descended. Some looked stunned, while others slumped into their chairs. One female fan hid her face behind a drinks menu. In the following minutes, chants gradually returned, but the atmosphere was not the same. When Ousmane Dembélé added the second goal in the 66th minute, disappointment showed on every face, and some left their café tables. Ghizlane Idrissi (26) preferred to praise the Atlas Lions' campaign: "They fought until the end," she says proudly. Many fans are already thinking about the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Mustafa Al-Qarni affirms: "In 2030, we hope to at least reach the final." He adds: "It's a dream that will always accompany us, and God willing, we will win the cup!" - Sad but it will pass - From Rabat to Brussels, via Paris and Boston, Moroccan fans shared the same disappointment while also praising the team's campaign. In Belgium, where Moroccans form one of the largest non-European communities, hundreds of fans took to the streets of the capital after the match to celebrate regardless. Yasmine El Attar said: "In Morocco, we are always happy and celebrate even when we lose. That is normal." Karima Derou also downplayed the situation: "It's sad... but it will pass." The same spirit prevailed in France. On the Champs-Élysées, hundreds of fans gathered immediately after the final whistle. Sonia El Attafi, a 29-year-old lawyer, said: "I'm shocked by the defeat, frankly shocked." She added: "But now I am very, very, very, very proud of Morocco. And now we will support France." For his part, Faisal Al-Yousfi, a 45-year-old administrative supervisor, said: "This match reflects a certain reality, with two levels: the level of France and the level of Morocco." He added: "Morocco has made great progress since 2022, and France is still as strong as we know it, with excellent players." In Boston, where the match was played, fans who traveled to watch it seemed to have more difficulty hiding their bitterness. Qeryan (49), from Tangier in northern Morocco, said: "They retreated too much." He added: "In my opinion, they should have attacked more, tried to score, and then defended. But I am not a coach." Despite the disappointment, some fans were already ready to turn the page. Abdelali Ben Tarki said: "I expected France to win... Now Morocco is out, but I will support France."