World Cup: Last night in Sinnotts bar off Grafton Street, Dublin, hundreds of French and Italian fans merged and matched in deed the slogan of the tournament: "Time to make friends."
The early evening pantomime of boos and cheers as the opposing team sheets appeared on screen was coupled with competing chants of "Allez les bleu" and "Italia, Italia".
Teresa Bettini, a student of the EF language school, held her newly acquired shamrock chain tightly, while refusing to make any predictions due to Italian superstition that it would bring bad luck.
Since the Euro 2000 final when France triumphed against the Italians, Olivia Locicero from France had taught her English partner the French anthem and bought him a jersey. Six years later, the Italians again punched the air with their fists while the French, with one hand placed on heart and the other index finger pointed to the air, sang loudly and proudly as the national anthems echoed.
Cries of "Allez les bleu" followed five minutes later when a French penalty was awarded and converted.
Before scenes of French euphoria and Italian quarrels regarding the alleged dive, Maria Diaz from France conceded a penalty should not have been awarded. It was, however, a taste of the medicine dealt to the Australians against Italy.
On-pitch, Italy played in defiance of the emerging corruption scandal, while France battled in defiance of age. The fairytale and farewell story of Zinadine Zidane seemed to be coming true - until the 19th minute. One Irish fan amid the armies of blue, Aisling Mulholland, told of being "forced" to wear an Italian T-shirt by her Italian work colleague.
As the second half drew to an uninspiring closure and the battle of nerves intensified into extra time, the Italian hopes of beating France for the first time since 1978 briefly dwindled.
In the Italian restaurant Steps of Rome on Chatham Street, where local Italians huddled around a screen, manager David O'Hare held up his bitten nails to convey the sense of tension.
Expect "closed for private function" signs to remain on Italian cafes, restaurants and bars across Dublin this morning.