This Monday evening, Place de la Concorde, the defeat of the Blues against Argentina looked like a victory.
And when they appeared, after their legendary match, on the balcony of the Hôtel Crillon, shortly after 9:30 p.m., an hour late, the feverish crowd of some 50,000 supporters let themselves go: “Kylian!
Kylian!
Howls the human tide, in the fog of smoke.
Cheeks made up in blue-white-red, a young girl screams while waving her flag.
“You are my God, Kylian.
You are the winner!
".
This meeting at Place de la Concorde, it was the Blues who wanted it, failing to go up the Champs-Élysées, and the triumph was there.
For hours, the supporters have been waiting, pounding the pavement, some since the afternoon.
Like Robin, 21, and his father, dressed from head to toe in the colors of the French flag.
From 4:30 p.m., they were at Concorde, so as not to miss anything... But the pressing crowd decided otherwise, pushing them little by little away from the Crillon: "We're not going to see anything, I'm disgusted, sighed the young man before the arrival of the Blues.
All that for this.
When we were in a great position”.
In search of the best place to see the Blues
Asna, 23, who came with a friend after facing a crowded metro and drastic screening at the entrance to the square, was determined not to miss anything.
"Please, gentlemen, where are they going to come from?"
I don't ask for much, I would like to take a picture of them”.
Smile back, but no response.
"It's not nice, frankly!
".
Read alsoWorld Cup: from Doha to Paris, the triumphant return of the Blues
Before the triumphal arrival, we had to wait.
A long time.
Very long even for some.
Time to sing a dozen Marseillaise, to look for the best spot to see the balcony, preferably in height.
Quickly, traffic lights, streetlights, statues and balustrades are invested, at the cost of some risks.
“I'm hooked up, don't worry!
“says, reassuring a young man perched on a pillar to his girlfriend who remained on dry land.
VIDEO.
World Cup: the Blues acclaimed by thousands of people Place de la Concorde
On several occasions, the mobile gendarmes, are forced to call to order the crowd, more and more compact with the approach of the arrival of the Blues.
Rue Royale is no longer passable: “Step aside!
Get in line,” law enforcement tries into the megaphone.
Without much success.
“We are not here to line up, like at school, squeaks Leo, 28.
I've been waiting for hours.
And then, anyway, it's impossible to move, there are too many people”.
9:15 p.m., the mobile gendarmes are placed in columns and converge on the Crillon from the four corners of the Concorde.
The arrival time of the Blues is approaching and the crowd redoubles their excitement, rushes towards the hotel, chanting the first names of the players: “Kylian!
Hugo!
to thunderous applause.
The team's appearance on the balcony only lasted a few minutes, but the fans will have had their moment of happiness.