Historic Achievement: Morocco Crowned U-20 World Champions for the First Time

With this historic triumph, Morocco etched its name into the record books, joining Ghana (2009) as one of only two African nations to win the U-20 World Cup.

In a night that will remain immortal in Arab and African football history, Morocco’s U-20 team lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time ever after a thrilling and deserved 2-0 victory over record-holders Argentina at the iconic Santiago National Stadium. The “Atlas Lions” delivered a masterclass in tactical discipline and fighting spirit, ending the “Tango Dancers” journey and achieving an unprecedented milestone for Moroccan football.

First Half: Zubairi Shocks the Tango The final began at a fast pace, with both teams exchanging attacks from the first minute. In the sixth minute, Morocco came close to opening the scoring after Yasser Zubairi was fouled near the penalty area. Following VAR review, a dangerous direct free kick was awarded.

In the 12th minute, Zubairi took the set piece and curled a precise shot into the top right corner of the Argentine goal, igniting the stadium and giving Morocco a 1-0 lead.

Argentina responded with intense pressure, but Morocco’s solid defense, led by goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomez, held firm. In the 29th minute, a perfectly executed counterattack saw Othman Maamma sprint down the right wing and deliver a precise low cross to Zubairi, who scored his second goal, doubling the lead.

Argentina nearly pulled one back in injury time, but Gomez’s heroics denied them, leaving the first half at a stunning 2-0 in favor of Morocco.

Second Half: Moroccan Defensive Masterclass The second half turned into a defensive showcase. Argentina threw all their offensive efforts forward, but coach Mohamed Wahbi’s side remained tactically disciplined. Gomez stood as a wall in goal, while defenders Ismail Baouf and Ismail Bakhti neutralized Argentina’s attacks completely.

As the minutes passed, the Argentine players grew frustrated, unable to penetrate Morocco’s resolute defense. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in celebration, marking Morocco’s deserved U-20 World Cup victory.

Key Highlights:

• Final Score: Morocco 2 – 0 Argentina
• Decisive Moment: Zubairi’s second goal (29’) from a textbook counterattack that clinched the match
• Star Player: Yasser Zubairi, Morocco’s hero, scored both goals and led the Atlas Lions to global glory

What’s Next? This triumph not only places Morocco alongside Ghana as the only African nations to win the U-20 World Cup but also underscores the continuation of a golden generation (Zubairi, Maamma, Gomez, Jassim). Following Morocco’s senior World Cup semi-final in 2022 and the 2024 Olympic bronze, the victory proves that Morocco has become a formidable global football power across all age categories.