Tears of joy, people kneeling down and praying, some hovering around waiting for the final whistle as the clock ticked ― and finally a big sigh of relief and loud screams as the referee declared the end of game.
These were the sights in Casablanca as Morocco took on Portugal in their World Cup quarter-final match in Qatar. The Atlas Lions won 1-0.
“It’s an incredible happiness, I can’t speak any more because I’m so happy,” Oumaima Louise, 27, told The National as she knelt on the ground, tears streaming.
An overwhelming mood of joy took over the city with people cheering and congratulating each other saying “Morocco always!”.
Strangers joined each other in dancing and singing to traditional tunes.
Thousands of people headed to Casablanca's city centre in their cars and on motorcycles to celebrate.
“They gave us a red card but there’s no problem we still won and it feels incredible,” Rayen told The National in the Ain Sebaa area of Casablanca, voice already hoarse from screaming.
With Saturday’s win and qualification to the semi-finals of the biggest tournament in football, Moroccans can dare to dream of ultimate glory.
For Fatma Ezzahra Bouraymi, 23, the feeling of pride was beyond description.
“I feel so proud, I hope we reach the finals and why not bring the World Cup home,” Ms Bouraymi told The National at the Sidi Mohamed Sports complex fan zone.
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
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EXPATS
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
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Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
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Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
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The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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