Why did some rejoice at Morocco's loss? A psychological analysis of the phenomenon of gloating.

Why did some rejoice at Morocco's loss? A psychological analysis of the phenomenon of gloating.

That night, the scene was anything but ordinary. Many countries and peoples didn't celebrate Senegal's victory, but rather Morocco's defeat. Scenes of joy, gloating, and chants weren't directed at the opponent… but at an Arab-African team that had paved its way through hard work, organization, and ambition.

This behavior isn't explained solely by football, but by psychology.

Psychology describes this phenomenon with a well-known German term: Schadefreude – the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction at witnessing the failure or loss of others.

This syndrome often manifests when there is:

Repressed jealousy of others' success

A feeling of inadequacy in the face of progress we lack

Or collective frustration that transforms into gloating instead of confronting reality

Morocco wasn't just defeated in a single match; it had previously triumphed in:

Organization

Infrastructure

Sports planning

And a progressive international image, especially with the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon

And here, success becomes painful for some… turning into a target for gloating.

Sigmund Freud linked this phenomenon to the release of repressed aggression from the unconscious.

When a person cannot succeed, they feel relief when others fail.

And when they are unable to progress, they celebrate the setbacks of those who came before them.

Neuroscience studies show that the Freudian "shaddon" activates areas in the brain associated with reward, especially when there is prior envy that suddenly transforms into momentary pleasure.

This is why we witnessed exaggerated joy… not out of a love for victory, but as an escape from the mirror of failure.

Amidst all this, the truth remains constant: True success breeds envy, not applause. And Morocco, despite the loss, has proven that it is on a path that makes some rejoice at its downfall… simply because it has surpassed them by several steps.

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