Morocco made football history in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday night by defeating six-time champions Argentina 2-0 to claim their first-ever Under-20 World Cup title.
The victory marked a huge milestone for Moroccan football, as it was the country’s first World Cup triumph at any level — youth or senior.
The hero of the night was Yassir Zabiri, a talented forward who plays for FC Famalicão in Portugal’s top division. Zabiri scored two brilliant goals in the first half, giving Morocco a strong 2-0 lead before halftime.
Despite Argentina’s best efforts, the African side defended solidly and held on to secure a historic win.
Morocco’s journey to glory was nothing short of remarkable. The North African team showed consistency, discipline, and flair throughout the tournament.
They advanced past South Korea, the United States, and France in the knockout rounds before facing Argentina in the final. With this victory, Morocco became the first African nation to lift the Under-20 World Cup trophy since Ghana did it in 2009.
Argentina, on the other hand, came into the final unbeaten and were the heavy favorites to win a record-extending seventh title.
However, they were without two of their best young stars Claudio Echeverri of Bayer Leverkusen and Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid both unavailable for the competition.
Their absence was deeply felt as Argentina struggled to break through Morocco’s organized defense.
This win is being celebrated across Africa and the Arab world as a symbol of hope and progress for emerging football nations.
Moroccan fans filled the stadium with cheers and flags as the final whistle blew, while social media erupted in praise for the team’s determination and unity.
Argentina’s senior national team, the reigning World Cup champions from Qatar 2022, has already secured qualification for the 2026 tournament in North America.
But on this night, it was Morocco’s young stars who captured the world’s attention and wrote a new chapter in African football history.