Sixteen years after Ghana’s historic triumph, Morocco have joined the elite circle of FIFA U-20 World Cup winners. The Atlas Lion Cubs stunned Argentina 2-0 on Sunday at the Julio MartĂnez Prádanos Stadium in Santiago, Chile, to lift their first-ever global title.
Inspired by a dazzling Yassir Zabiri, who netted both goals in a man-of-the-match performance, Morocco delivered a flawless display that left the six-time champions with no answers.
Under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the young Moroccans combined defensive solidity with fearless attacking football. Zabiri, the tournament’s revelation, struck twice to seal a famous victory and finished as the Golden Boot winner with five goals.
Only months after finishing runners-up at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco have now conquered the world, confirming the remarkable progress of the country’s youth development program under the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The individual accolades further underline Morocco’s impressive form.
Othmane Maamane was named Player of the Tournament, claiming the Golden Ball, while final hero Yassir Zabiri took home the Silver Ball as the competition’s second-best player.
The Atlas Lion Cubs have written their names in gold, inspiring a new generation across Africa and beyond.
Yassir Zabiri struck twice in a space of 17 first-half minutes as Morocco lifted the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Argentina in Santiago on Sunday (20 October).
Morocco became only second African side to win the competition after Ghana in 2009, and are the first team to to beat Argentina in a U-20 World Cup final in 42 years.
Man of the match Zabiri opened the scoring on 12 minutes before doubling the lead for Mohamed Ouahbi’s men in the 29th, Morocco never looking back the rest of the way.
Six-times champions Argentina had been the overwhelming favourites, having won all six games leading up to Sunday’s showpiece with 15 goals and two against.
But it was not meant to be on this evening for the Albiceleste, who had not lost in a U-20 World Cup decider since Mexico 1983 to arch-rivals Brazil.
Benjamin Cremaschi (USA), Neyser Villareal (Colombia) and Lucas Michal (France) finished as joint top scorers with five goals apiece but Cremaschi went home with the Golden Boot after registering more assists.
