“We will not be disgusted if France passes. We’d rather lose against them than against any other team.”

Television from the hair salon on Avenue Pasteur in Bondy is broadcasting the replay of the Argentina-Croatia semi-final. But it is the other game tonight that excites the small group on the spot more.

In a hair salon in Bondy (Seine-Saint-Denis), a friend of Sidi and Mehdi has his hair cut. In the background, the other semi-final of the World Cup between Argentina and Croatia (3-0) is rebroadcast on television. BENJAMIN CARROT FOR “THE WORLD”

“It’s going to be deadly!” », announces Mehdi, 26, Franco-Moroccan and Algerian restaurateur. He sees a 1-0 victory for Morocco… or 3-0 for France. “We will not be disgusted if France passes. We prefer to lose against them than against any team. But I would like Morocco to win, because it’s probably the only time in their history that they will go this far. »

At his side, Sidi, 27 years old and of the same origins, is less optimistic and judges France better equipped to beat Argentina in the final. ” And then we’re still guys from Bondy, obviously we’re behind Kylian [Mbappé] too. »

In a hair salon in Bondy (Seine Saint-Denis), Sidi, 27, says: “It’s hard to choose, here there is also Mbappé anyway. His friend Mehdi adds: “We want one of the two teams to win the World Cup. » BENJAMIN CARROT FOR “THE WORLD”

Either way, both predict “a great game” and hope that the winner of this semi-final will lift the trophy in the final. “It’s going to be a mess in here. But a mess under control”promises Sidi.

On TV, striker Alvarez has just scored the 2-0 goal for Argentina, a rather lucky achievement. “Pff, it’s not a pretty game that!, laughs the group. Tonight there will be real football. »

Robin Richardot