🇲🇦 Morocco Make History, Lifting the FIFA U-20 World Cup After Beating Argentina

Santiago, Chile – The Post Maghreb Sports | October 20, 2025

Morocco achieved a historic milestone by winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time in their history, defeating six-time champions Argentina 2–0 in the final held at the Julio Martínez Prádanos National Stadium in Santiago, Chile.

In front of a packed crowd of 43,000 spectators, Moroccan forward Yassir Zbaïri of Portuguese side Famalicão was the hero of the night, scoring both goals in the 12th and 29th minutes. Zbaïri finished the tournament as joint top scorer with five goals, alongside American Benjamin Cremaschi, Colombian Nicer Villarreal, and Frenchman Luca Michel.

A First Final, A First Title

This marked Morocco’s first-ever appearance in a U-20 World Cup final, surpassing their previous best of a semifinal finish in 2005 in the Netherlands. By defeating Argentina, the Atlas Cubs denied the South Americans a record-extending seventh title.

Throughout the tournament, Morocco toppled some of football’s biggest names — beating Spain (1999 champions) and Brazil (five-time winners) in the group stage, before overcoming South Korea in the Round of 16, the United States in the quarter-finals, and France (2013 champions) in the semi-finals.

First Arab Champion, Second African Nation in History

Morocco became the first Arab nation ever to lift the U-20 World Cup trophy. The only other Arab finalist had been Qatar, who reached the final in 1981 but lost 0–4 to West Germany in Australia.
The triumph also made Morocco only the second African country to win the title, following Ghana’s 2009 victory over Brazil in Cairo via penalties (4–3), after a goalless draw. Ghana had previously lost the finals in 1993 and 2001, while Nigeria fell short in 1989 and 2005.

Continuation of Morocco’s Golden Era

The U-20 team’s triumph adds another jewel to Morocco’s footballing crown, following the senior team’s historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run to the semifinals — the first by an African or Arab nation — and their bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Match Summary

True to their tactical identity, Morocco ceded possession to Argentina and relied on fast, lethal counterattacks.
In the 8th minute, Zbaïri was brought down on the edge of the box by goalkeeper Santino Barbi, prompting Moroccan coach Walid Wahbi to use his VAR challenge. After review, Italian referee Maurizio Mariani awarded a free kick, which Zbaïri converted brilliantly with a left-footed strike into the top corner (12’).

Seventeen minutes later, Zbaïri struck again. After a dazzling run down the right by Othmane Maâma (Watford FC), his low cross found Zbaïri, who volleyed home the second goal with composure (29’).

Despite Argentina’s sustained pressure, Morocco’s defense — marshaled by Ali Maâmar and Fouad Zahouani — stood firm, while goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomes made key saves to preserve the clean sheet and secure a famous victory.

Global Praise

International media outlets hailed Morocco’s disciplined and intelligent football, calling the Atlas Cubs “a tactical masterpiece and a symbol of Africa’s new generation.”
Analysts credited the success to the Mohammed VI Football Academy, now widely recognized as a breeding ground for top-tier talent and a cornerstone of Morocco’s long-term football development.