Morocco have etched their name in football history with a groundbreaking victory over Argentina in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup final. A commanding 2-0 win in Santiago, Chile not only secured the Atlas Cubs their first world title at any level but also marked a monumental achievement for African football.
Zabiri’s First-Half Double Sinks Tournament Favourites
Yassir Zabiri was the undisputed star of the final at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, netting twice in the opening half to dismantle an Argentina side that entered the match as heavy favourites.
Zabiri’s impact came early. In the 12th minute, the forward was brought down on the edge of the box by Argentine keeper Santino Barbi following a rapid break. After a VAR review, Barbi was shown only a yellow card, but the resulting free-kick was anything but mild—Zabiri curled a stunning effort into the top corner to give Morocco a dream start.
Morocco Double Their Lead as Argentina Struggle to Respond
Argentina, six-time U20 world champions, were clearly rattled. Despite dominating the ball in spells, Diego Placente’s squad failed to penetrate Morocco’s compact and disciplined backline.
Morocco struck again just before the 30-minute mark. Ismael Baouf won the ball back in midfield and sparked a quick transition, feeding Othmane Maamma down the right wing. Maamma delivered a perfectly measured low cross into the box, which Zabiri met with precision to make it 2-0.
The Albiceleste pushed forward with urgency, creating several chances before halftime. Mateo Silvetti and Gianluca Prestianni came closest, but the North African defense held firm.
Defensive Discipline and Gomis’ Heroics Seal the Win
The second half saw Argentina ramp up the pressure, but Morocco remained tactically astute and physically relentless. Zabiri nearly sealed a memorable hat-trick with a curling shot that went just wide, while Argentina’s Ian Subiabre squandered a golden opportunity at the other end.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomis played a crucial role in preserving the clean sheet, delivering key saves and commanding his area with maturity beyond his years.
Individual Honours Cap Off Memorable Tournament
Despite the loss, Argentina’s Santino Barbi was awarded the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, a testament to his consistency throughout the competition. The United States received the Fair Play Award, while Morocco’s Othmane Maamma, who provided the assist for the second goal, was deservedly named Player of the Tournament.
A Landmark Moment for African Football
With this victory, Morocco become just the second African nation to lift the U20 World Cup trophy after Ghana’s triumph in 2009. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi and his team not only made history but also showcased the depth of emerging talent in African football.
Their road to the final was marked by resilience and tactical maturity—scoring 10 goals and conceding five, compared to Argentina’s 15 goals scored and only two conceded prior to the final. Yet, when it mattered most, the Atlas Cubs rose to the occasion and delivered a performance for the ages.
