Several hundred flag-draped fans in Moroccan jerseys filled Alhambra Palace in the West Loop on Saturday, June 13 to watch Morocco face Brazil in a FIFA World Cup group-stage match.
Organizers said they expected as many as 300 attendees, with some traveling from neighboring states for the event.
The crowd erupted when Morocco scored a goal in the first half with supporters waving flags, embracing and sounding air horns. Cheers also followed several calls against Brazil during the match.
The watch party was organized by Alhambra Palace, a restaurant and event venue in the West Loop. Jaafar Aksikas, professor emeritus at Columbia College, said fans traveled from Illinois and neighboring states to watch the match together. Aksikas is the president and CEO of the Institute of Global Arab Media and Democracy, which co-sponsored the event with Alhambra Palace.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Morocco’s Ismael Saibari and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior each scoring goals. The result gave both teams a point in their opening Group C match of the tournament.
Additional reporting from Nico Waugh
Copy edited by Katie Peters
