With flags, song, pride, the French celebrate the unifying victory

PARIS (AP) – It was a victory for all of France and the local crowd did justice, beating tens of thousands of people on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris in an explosion of joy.

-2 victory over Croatia in the final of the World Cup in Moscow, scored Sunday the second time in 20 years that France won the World Cup, and came at a time when people feel in the need.

"This represents huge things," said Goffrey Hamsik, wearing a bad-like hat – the French national symbol – and a shirt with number 10 for Kylian Mpappe, the star of 19 years old who is from the Parisian suburbs of Bondy.

"We have had a lot of problems in France in recent years," he said, recalling the deadly terrorist attacks. "It's good for the morale … Here we are all united, we mix, there is no religion, there is nothing, and it is which is good. "

The troublemakers have spoiled some festivities. The Champs-Elysees, smashing the window of a department store, throwing bottles, temporary gates and even a bike to the riot police as the celebrations end around midnight. Police fought back with water cannons and tear gas. BFM-TV reports that the store was looted.

Earlier, people wrapped in flags and dressed in crazy hats, and a man completely naked with the exception of the Tricolor, walked on the avenue where France had shown his military might one day earlier. Bastille Day

Revelers launched smoke bombs in national colors – blue, white and red – obscuring Napoleon's triumphal arch. People climbed to the top of each newsstand and bus stop in the area to wave flags and lead the crowds below in cheers. The national anthem, the Marseillaise, sounds, car horns and cracks of cherry bombs.

A young man sprays a fire extinguisher on the crowd during a hot afternoon.

Hundreds of police in riot gear are discreetly lined up in the side streets to watch the partygoers. As a rule, celebrations in France end with broken windows and other destructions, and Sunday was no exception. Tear gas was lobed at one point on the Champs-Elysees. About 4,000 policemen were monitoring the fan zone – up to 90,000 of capacity – during the match, then moving to the Champs-Elysees and surrounding streets.

At dusk, the Eiffel Tower marked 1998-2018

The Arc de Triomphe was awash in national colors, lit by the rooster, the faces of the winning team and the words "Proud to be blue", or French.

Celebrations were spread across the nation.

For all crazy antics – and some partygoers who lost control – a feeling of patriotism and unity was almost visceral.

Antoine Griezmann, the French striker who scored one of the goals on Sunday, said at a press conference. Two days before the final, broadcast on BFM television, this pride of the country is rare.

"We say so little … We should be proud to be French," Griezmann said.

Mahmoud Bourbadi was among those who have a longer-term vision and he had some thoughts Bourbadi runs a youth center in Bondy – Mbappe's house which was among those who were rioted in 2005 who have exposed the cracks of France who have not yet healed – and he knows the teen star of the tournament.

"All this euphoria and effervescence, it is positive but it is moving and ephemeral," he said before the victory of France. Bourbadi said that sport is a "catalyst for bringing people and nations together."

But, he added, he must be built on.

"What we see is magical, exceptional. with that tomorrow? "

It is a question for President Emmanuel Macron, who was in Moscow to celebrate with the team the night of the victory, and will receive the team more formally on Monday at the. Presidential Elysee.

"We are happy, it took 20 years … It's the pride of the nation, it unites everyone, it federates", said Frédérique Pourquet while she and his friend left the Champs-Elysees.

The victory "shows that the French people are consolidated and the work of all France," said Omar Bzi.

Hajar Maghnaoui, Asnieres , north of Paris, said: "It's a way to bring the French world together."

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John Leicester in Moscow contributed to this report.