The 21st FIFA World Cup in Russia has come to an end. In the highest-scoring final since 1966, France beat Croatia 4-2. Outside The Greatest Bar in Boston, the scene was festive as French nationals watched their team receive the golden trophy.
“France is the world champion of soccer,” exclaimed Camille Darcissac with a wide smile after the game. “It’s been 20 years since the first victory, so it’s very special for us.”
The French native was among the dozens of revelers sporting the country’s blue, white and red flag and singing La Marseillaise, the French national anthem.
The game, which included a pair of odd goals and an on-the-field protest disruption, marked France’s second World Cup win. The last time France sang in honor of a World Cup Victory, was two decades ago when they played at home against Brazil.
Darcissac, who has been in Boston for less than a year, said celebrating abroad was both an experience “like magic” and a keen reminder of being away from home.
“Usually, I would’ve been with my friends or my family, so I miss them a lot,” she explained “but here, there are a lot of French people [celebrating], so this is amazing.”
Less than a 15-minute drive away, at the Blackmoor Bar in Charlestown, game-watchers with the New England Friends of Croatia lamented the loss and simultaneously celebrated the small country’s first appearance in the final round of the World Cup.
Among the onlookers was Ivo Krka, who is originally from Croatia and was in the middle of a week-long U.S. visit Sunday.
“We lost the finals, but I think we’re pretty happy to be here anyway,” he said standing outside the bar with a red and white checkered team jersey. “It’s a really small country and a kind of tight community, so we’re proud still that we got as far as we did.”
Friends of Croatia President Mirena Bagur said team’s surprise success served as a unifying event for Croatians across the world.
“If you look at the footage of celebrations from Croatia to Australia, this has been about our homeland being recognized on a global level,” she said. "Our players have shown they have world class skills, determination and the heart to play hard. Silver is great, particularly with [Luka] Modric, our soccer team captain, receiving the Best Player of the World Cup Award. As far as I am concerned, Croatia has won big."
During the 2014 World Cup, FIFA estimated more than three billion people tuned in worldwide, with more than one billion watching the final. The next World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2022.
