Semi-Finals Lose or Win - Morocco

 The dream of becoming the first African team to reach the final of the Football World Cup was dashed after a 2-0 defeat by France in the semi-finals, but the Moroccan team has won the hearts of fans around the world.Ahead of the crucial semi-final against France, Moroccan supporters have gathered in various parts of Europe, including in the hope that the former colonial power that once ruled the country will be overthrown on the football field.

However, that hope was dashed by goals from Theo Hernandez and Kylian as defending champions France reached the final, where they will face Argentina on Sunday.

"We lost but we are very proud," a fan in the Moroccan capital Rabat told the BBC.

On the other hand, a heavy police force was deployed before the match in the central part of Paris, the capital of France, where thousands of citizens of Moroccan origin live.

Before the match, fans could also be seen waving the flags of Morocco and other North African countries on the main thoroughfare of Paris.

Police were seen not only in France, but in other major European cities, including Brussels, where Moroccan supporters celebrated recent victories by bursting firecrackers.

Due to the weather in The Hague and the defeat, there was not much enthusiasm after the match.

A few firecrackers were set off in the streets, but Dutch citizens of Moroccan origin said they wanted to remain peaceful.

Meanwhile, a fan at Mohammed V Stadium in Rabat said that the semi-final result was 'OK'. "This is what happens in sports," he said.

The majority of the match watchers in this stadium believed that the Moroccan team's performance in the World Cup will be the beginning of a bright future for the country's footballers.

However, frustration was palpable in Rabat's oldest cafe as the Moroccan team failed to score back-to-back.

One fan, Hou, born in Morocco but raised in France, said he wanted Morocco to win the World Cup because "it's time for the cup to come to Africa."

In Madrid, Spain, Moroccan fans watched the match by setting up a tent where traditional dishes were also available in abundance.

"Whatever happens, I'm proud of my team," said Anas, wearing a Moroccan team T-shirt.

He said that 'Our team was not just representing football, they gave us a symbolic victory, international respect.'

Munir, from Rabat, who works at a petrol station in Spain, was chanting with his friends throughout the match and although he was disappointed after France's second goal, he was happy overall.

He said that this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Our children may not be able to see it happen. It was everything to us.

In Kirklewood, north-west London, supporters of Morocco raised a slogan as the final whistle of the match was blown.

The fans here were also proud of the team's performance. In the freezing cold of Britain, most Moroccan fans watched the match under blankets, enjoying tea and glasses.

Apart from Morocco, there were fans from Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt at Cafe Prego.

He said that we are all one nation.

Morocco fans in Pakistan and India also expressed similar sentiments.

Shahrouz wrote on Twitter that 'the score line of the match does not accurately represent the game of Morocco, who played a very good game.'

Twitter user Uzair Younis wrote, "You win or lose, we love you."