Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

‘It was the best final of all time’: French fans celebrate despite World Cup defeat

Fans sing "La Marsellaise," the French national anthem, in Paris as their team scores a third goal.
Fans sing "La Marsellaise," the French national anthem, in Paris as their team scores a third goal. Copyright  Burhan Ozbilici/AP
Copyright Burhan Ozbilici/AP
By Euronews
Published on Updated
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copy to clipboard Copied

Cheers were heard across France’s second-largest city Lyon, despite the country’s defeat at the World Cup final.

ADVERTISEMENT

Football fans crowded in pubs across France's second-largest city Lyon on Sunday to watch what many have dubbed the greatest World Cup final in living memory.

And while Argentina took home the World Cup trophy, some fans in France were consoled by the roller-coaster match.

"Even if we lost… we can say it was the best final of all time. Thank you, Les Bleus. Thank you, M'Bappé,” a man on the streets of Lyon told Euronews.

At the end of the first half of the match, Argentina led 2-0.

But France quickly caught up, leaving the score tied at 3-3 before Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, resulting in the country's first World Cup title since 1986.

"You made us dream, go France, I love you," screamed another man in Lyon. "We will have the next [World Cup].”

Another fan said: "Thank you, France. You made us vibrate until the end. The victory is not present, but we believed in it for four years."

Even French president Emmanuel Macron commented positively on the match, telling his country’s team that it “made us all tremble with excitement."

He added: "Bravo to Argentina, to the Argentine players and their people.”

France’s players will travel to Paris on Monday, where they will parade down its famous Champs-Elysees despite their defeat.

Watch Euronews’ report in the video player above to learn more.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Argentina declares Bank holiday as World Cup champions arrive in Buenos Aires

Argentina beat France on penalties in electrifying World Cup Final

Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales clash with police