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wearing shirts with the names of Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou and others on the back, some draped in the Moroccan flag.

“Exceptionally proud and happy. It’s an exceptional and historic moment, not only for Morocco but for the Arab region and Africa. It’s such an honour representing all of these countries in this World Cup,” Aliya said when asked about her feelings.

Indeed, Morocco have the fractious Arab world and beyond behind them after the other Arab and African sides fell at different stages of the tournament. It is being hailed as the sporting achievement of the entire Arab world since Ons Jabeur of Tunisia reached the final of both the US Open and the Wimbledon earlier this year.

“Continental History!... What an achievement by the Atlas Lions,” the Confederation of African Football said in a tweet while Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashed tweeted: “No voice is louder than Morocco’s in the World Cup!”

The journalists at the Host Country Media Centre, where many of the media personalities hailing from the Arab nations work, cheered on Morocco as they watched the match at the media centre’s Virtual Stadium. Some of them cheered when Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on as a substitute in the second half, but when the Atlas Lions completed the victory, everyone in the room in front of the giant screen were leaping in joy.

Away in Downtown Doha, Abdellah Ayman was preparing to go home after hours of reveling. The young student from a Moroccan university was barely able to speak, his voice coarse and dry from hours of shouting and chanting.

“This is the greatest day of my life, the greatest day for Morocco,” he said. “I’m here with my friends from other Arab countries and African countries. Today we are all one, we are all Atlas Lions.”