October 20 – Morocco produced one of the great shocks in youth football history, defeating six-time champions Argentina 2-0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos to capture their first-ever title.
The victory makes Mohamed Ouahbi’s side only the second African nation to win the competition, following Ghana’s triumph in 2009.
Just weeks before the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had declared that the event would showcase “legends in the making.” On Sunday night, Morocco forward Yassir Zabiri made good on that promise.
The 20-year-old was the difference, scoring twice against a dominant but wasteful Argentina side that couldn’t quite find the answer to the youngster’s first-half brace.
Heading into the match, the safe bet was Argentina, who had won a record six titles and have only lost one final, while Morocco were appearing in the title decider for the first time.
The Albiceleste had also won all six of their outings in Chile, scoring 15 goals and conceding only two, while the Moroccans had already been defeated by Mexico and only squeezed past France on penalties in the semi-final.
Even after playing 120 minutes and missing a penalty against France on Wednesday, Zabiri wasted no time in getting his hands dirty. Racing through on goal, the 20-year-old was clattered down by the Argentina goalkeeper early on, sparking the Moroccan bench into red-card and penalty-seeking upheaval. VAR instead opted for a yellow and a free-kick.
Unbothered, Zabiri majestically curled that into the top corner.
Argentina furiously searched for an equaliser, but were undone again by a counter attack that was crisply finished thanks to an emphatic volley by Zabiri.
Thereafter, although Argentina monopolised possession, they were unable to break the Moroccan defence.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations from the Moroccan players. Forty-eight years after the Atlas Cubs participated in the inaugural FIFA U-20 World Cup, they had finally got their hands on the trophy.
For Morocco, the achievement extends far beyond youth football. With the country hosting next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, the triumph reinforces its status as Africa’s top-ranked team and a rising power capable of challenging South America and Europe on the global stage.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]