French Celebrate World Cup Victory

Well-wishers cheer the victorious French team parading aboard a bus on the famed Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, after their 4-2 victory Sunday over Croatia to capture the trophy in the final of the FIFA World Cup, Monday, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo

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Crowds of happy French fans gathered at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport on Monday to await the return of their World Cup-winning team. The team was honored with a parade along the Champs Elysees along with a special presidential ceremony.

France defeated Croatia by a score of 4-2 in Moscow Sunday to claim the 2018 FIFA World Cup title.

More than 300,000 people filled the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde on Sunday night. They sang the French national anthem, set off firecrackers and sounded horns until the sun rose.

The Arc de Triomphe is lit up with the colors of the French national flag and by fireworks set off by French soccer fans celebrating France’s World Cup victory over Croatia, in Paris, France, Sunday, July 15, 2018.

One woman dressed in red, white and blue told a French television station, “We had so much fun last night, the city was full of joy, so much celebration. All we want is a wave from the players.”

Newspapers printed celebratory stories about France’s second World Cup title. The country’s first victory was in 1998. That year, the competition was held in France.

“History Made,” said the sports newspaper L’Equipe. Photos of superstar soccer players Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba were widely printed. There were also photos of the team holding and kissing the winning trophy in the rain.

The victory has helped bring about a sense of national unity in France. Observers made note of the youth of the team, as well as how many players are of central and North African heritage. Sixteen of the 23 French soccer players are from immigrant families.

France has suffered years of tension since a series of attacks by Islamist gunmen during 2015 that left more than 140 dead. Many say the World Cup has helped lift the nation’s spirits, even as it remains worried about such threats.

The Paris public transportation system also got into the celebratory spirit. It announced that several train stations were being changed for a short time to honor the players and the team’s coach, Didier Deschamps.

Notre-Dame des Champs station was renamed “Notre Didier Deschamps.” Victor Hugo station was changed to “Victor Hugo Lloris” after the captain and goalkeeper.

On Monday morning, the effects of Sunday night’s partying were still clear. There were many broken windows, an overturned car and drawings on walls that included the phrase “Liberte, Egalite, Mbappe.” That is a play on the French national saying, “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite.”

French government officials have announced that the World Cup team will receive the Legion of Honor, the country’s highest award.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

Jonathan Evans adapted this story from reports by Reuters, the Associated Press and BBC News. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

Words in this Story

anthem - n. a formal song of loyalty, praise, or happiness

title - n. the status or position of being the champion in a sport or other competition​

coach - n. a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer

horns - n. devices that make a loud noise

drawing - n. a picture, image, etc., that is made by making lines on a surface with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc.

heritage - n. a picture, image, etc., that is made by making lines on a surface with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc., but usually not with paint