Arabs praise Morocco's heroic performance against France in World Cup semi-finals

Arabs across the world have praised Morocco’s football team for their heroic World Cup performance against France on Wednesday.

The North African team lost 2-0 to France, but made history as the first team from the continent and the Arab world to make it to the World Cup semi-finals.

Football fans described the Atlas Lions as the World Cup winners for "millions" across the globe and congratulated them for representing "underrepresented parts of the world" in an "incredible show of resilience and hard work".

"They’ve made Morocco proud, they’ve made Africa proud and they’ve made Muslims all around the world proud," Twitter user Anisa wrote.

Devastated is an understatement but they all played extremely well throughout. They’ve made Morocco proud, they’ve made Africa proud and they’ve made Muslims all around the world proud. Dima Al Maghreb 🇲🇦❤️

— A 💎 (@anisatweets) December 14, 2022

"They made WC history, played at the level of the best teams & players; they represented underrepresented parts of the world in football & brought together so many peoples. Morocco showed what’s possible & that must be celebrated," media producer Sana Saeed wrote.

Can’t be sad about 🇲🇦’s loss: they made WC history, played at the level of the best teams & players; they represented underrepresented parts of the world in football & brought together so many peoples. Morocco showed what’s possible & that must be celebrated. They made this WC.

— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) December 14, 2022

Many fans also highlighted their "respect" for the team for carrying the Palestinian flag and highlighting its people’s strife throughout the tournament. 

"Apart from tonight defeat Morocco had fantastic journey in world cup, they played excellent football, gave some beautiful moments and highlighted Palestinian cause, mad respect for them," Twitter user Haroon wrote.

Apart from tonight defeat Morocco had fantastic journey in world cup, they played excellent football, gave some beautiful moments and highlighted Palestinian cause, mad respect for them. pic.twitter.com/yaifwzGUNk

— Haroon (@ThisHaroon) December 14, 2022

Many also referred to their achievements throughout the World Cup as a win for Muslims, the Middle East, Africa and Palestine.

"Alas, Islam, the Arab culture and Palestine are all the ultimate winners of this year's Qatar World Cup," journalist Robert Carter wrote.

Unlucky Morocco. You did the Muslim world proud! 🇲🇦 ☪️ ❤

The better team didn't win.

Alas, Islam, the Arab culture and Palestine are all the ultimate winners of this year's Qatar World Cup. #Morocco #Qatar2022 #Islam #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CtQhlyB9Kd

— Robert Carter 🇲🇦 🏆 (@Bob_cart124) December 14, 2022

Some fans also expressed their devastation that Morocco didn’t make it to the finals, tweeting "dima Maghrib", which translates to "Morocco forever".

"Saddened and devastated for Morocco. They tamed France and didn’t deserve to lose tonight. However, I feel so proud of Lions of Atlas," twitter user Wirjil wrote.

Can’t put into words how I feel rn.

Saddened and devastated for Morocco. They tamed France and didn’t deserve to lose tonight. However, I feel so proud of Lions of Atlas. #FIFAWorldCup semifinalists for the first time in Arab/Africa history.

You made us proud.
DIMA MAGHREB! 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/9vOOEHhjBD

— 𝐖𝖎𝖗𝖏𝖎𝖑 (@Wirjil) December 14, 2022

Following the French win, France will face Argentina in the World Cup final in Qatar on Sunday.