Arabs unite in celebration as Morocco advances in World Cup

First Qatar was out, exiting World Cup with  worst record of a host country. n Saudi national team’s run ended, despite a historic upset against Argentina last week. Finally Tunisia was eliminated, after a dramatic victory against alrey-qualified France.

w, at first World Cup ever to be held in Middle East, Morocco is Arab world’s last hope. fractured region is rallying around rth African nation after its 2-1 win Thursday against Cana that vanced Morocco to kckout st of tournament for first time since 1986.

Morocco’s success sparked angry street riots in Belgium after a match earlier this week, but on Thursday triggered an outpouring of joy in Arab world, where local teams are often underdogs. re were celebrations in Gaza City and Cairo. A similar rush of regional goodwill followed Saudi Arabia’s shock win against two-time World Cup winner Argentina last week. Arabs have also backed Qatar’s hosting of World Cup in face of harsh Western criticism.

Jubilant Moroccans, Qataris, Saudis, Palestinians and ors poured through historic alleys of Souq Waqif in central Doha after Morocco’s win, cl in red and green and waving Moroccan flag wildly in celebration. flag illuminated skyscrapers along Doha’s glittering corniche. Streaming crowds chanted, “Congratulations to us on this beginning! It will go on and on!” metro near Al Thumama Stium became a pulsing dance party of Moroccans drumming on windows and ululating in celebration.

“All Arabs left tournament, but we me it up for m and we got our revenge,” said Najwa Boumahraz, a Moroccan living in London. “We are very proud.”

Malika Jellal, a businesswoman from Casablanca, Morocco, said she felt like a celebrity on Thursday. “Arabs keep coming up to me and saying ‘thank you, you hored us, you saved us all,’” she said. A pair of Saudi brors who h flown to Doha to see match from eastern province of Dammam said y were so proud of Morocco that y practically forgot ir sorrow that ir own team was heed home. “Over this week we feel that as Arabs, we are all one people,” said 23-year-old Saudi Turki al-Qahtani, draped in a Moroccan flag. “We forget about borders in this World Cup.”