Morocco made football history on Sunday night as they defeated Argentina 2–0 in the final to win the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time.
The thrilling match took place at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile, where Morocco’s young team delivered a stunning performance against the highly rated Argentine side.
Yassir Zabiri was the hero of the night, scoring both goals for Morocco. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a powerful free-kick that sailed past Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi. The North Africans doubled their lead in the 28th minute after a fast counterattack. Othmane Maamma provided the assist, and Zabiri calmly slotted home from close range to make it 2–0.
Argentina, one of the tournament favourites and record six-time winners, controlled the game in terms of possession, holding 71% of the ball. However, they struggled to break down Morocco’s solid defensive setup.
Despite their dominance on the ball, Argentina created few real chances. Moroccan defenders stayed compact, blocked shots, and cleared danger consistently. Their goalkeeper made several key saves and showed strong command in the box.
In the second half, Morocco focused on protecting their lead. Their coach made tactical substitutions that brought in fresh legs in defence and midfield. Argentina pushed forward but were unable to find the back of the net. VAR reviews and multiple set-piece chances came to nothing for the South Americans, who became visibly frustrated as time ran out.
Zabiri was named Man of the Match for his brilliant performance, becoming a national hero as Morocco celebrated its first-ever U20 World Cup title.
This win marks a major achievement for African football, as Morocco become only the second African nation to win the tournament after Ghana’s victory in 2009. It also continues Morocco’s impressive recent record in youth and senior competitions, following their senior team’s semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
For Argentina, the defeat was a bitter disappointment, as they aimed to win their seventh U20 title. But they were outplayed by a well-drilled Moroccan side that combined tactical discipline with clinical finishing.
Back home, celebrations erupted across cities in Morocco, with fans taking to the streets to cheer their young heroes. The victory is being hailed as a new era for Moroccan football and a source of inspiration for the next generation.
