By Kunle Solaja.

In a night painted red and green under the dazzling Santiago lights, Morocco carved their name into football’s golden history books, stunning six-time champions Argentina 2–0 to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025. It was not just a victory — it was poetry, passion, and pride, beautifully woven into ninety unforgettable minutes at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.

For Mohamed Ouahbi and his fearless Atlas Cubs, this was destiny fulfilled. Forty-eight years after Morocco first graced the inaugural U-20 World Cup, the North Africans have finally ascended football’s youth summit, becoming only the second African nation — after Ghana’s golden generation in 2009 — to conquer the world at this level.

The Night Zabiri Shone Brightest

If Morocco’s triumph had a heartbeat, it pulsed in the boots of Yassir Zabiri. The elegant forward, all composure and creativity, turned the final into a personal stage. His genius lit up Santiago from the 13th minute when, after being clattered by Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi on a breakaway, he rose to curl the ensuing free-kick into the top corner — a goal of artistry and audacity that will be replayed for years in Moroccan football folklore.

That was just the overture. Argentina, the tournament’s darlings and serial winners, pushed forward with their trademark intensity, but Morocco’s counterattack carried a lethal rhythm. Ismael Baouf, imperious in midfield, intercepted a pass and released Othmane Maamma down the flank. His whipped cross found Zabiri, who volleyed home with thunderous precision.

Two goals up. One continent roaring.

A Final of Grit and Glory

From there, the Atlas Cubs defended like lions. Baouf marshalled the midfield, while Fouad Zahouani and captain Oussama Co turned every Argentine advance into frustration. Goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomis, calm and commanding, barely broke a sweat as Argentina’s famed forwards were reduced to long-range hopefuls.

On the stroke of halftime, Argentina’s Mateo Silvetti nearly pulled one back, his shot skimming past the post, but Morocco immediately responded — Maamma cutting inside and firing goalward, only for Juan Villalba’s desperate clearance to deny a third.

The second half brought wave after wave of Argentine possession, but it was Morocco’s discipline, not desperation, that defined the contest. Zabiri’s artistry continued to trouble the South Americans, his curling effort from outside the box narrowly missing. Substitute Ian Subiabre’s late miss summed up Argentina’s evening — plenty of promise, no precision.

When the final whistle sounded, Morocco’s bench erupted in tears and triumph. The players danced, draped in flags, as Ouahbi embraced his staff. From Rabat to Casablanca, from Fez to Marrakesh, the celebrations had already begun.

A New Dawn for African Football

Morocco’s triumph carried echoes of Ghana’s 2009 success — another African nation that defied the odds and the hierarchy of football. But this victory felt uniquely Moroccan: disciplined, artistic, and deeply symbolic.

It also shattered a long-standing record. No team had beaten Argentina in a FIFA U-20 World Cup final for 42 years — not since Brazil’s Dunga and Bebeto-led side triumphed in 1983. Since then, Argentina had bested Brazil, Uruguay, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic to lift six titles. Until now.

Legacy of a Golden Generation

For Yassir Zabiri, whose two goals will live forever in Moroccan hearts, the night crowned him the face of a new generation. For coach Mohamed Ouahbi, it was vindication — proof that Moroccan youth football, long respected across Africa, can now rule the world.

“This victory belongs to every Moroccan child who dreams with a football at his feet,” Ouahbi declared, his voice trembling amid the confetti storm. “We came here as students. We leave as champions.”

And so, on a cool Chilean night, Morocco’s Atlas Cubs roared the loudest. From the sands of the Sahara to the shores of the Atlantic, a new story of African brilliance has been written — and it begins, gloriously, in Santiago.

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Achraf Hakimi, captain of Morocco’s senior national football team, the Atlas Lions, has sent a heartfelt message of encouragement to the country’s U20 squad as they prepare to face Argentina in the FIFA U20 World Cup final late on Sunday night, but Monday morning in Morocco and Nigeria.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender praised the young Lions for their remarkable run in the tournament, urging them to give their best in the decisive clash at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile. The match is scheduled to kick off at midnight Moroccan time.

“First of all, congratulations to you for the work you’re doing. You’ve shone throughout this World Cup. Now, there’s one last effort left. Everyone is behind you and proud of you. Dima Maghrib. Come on guys, all together!” Hakimi said in a message shared by FIFA.

The U20 team, coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, have captured the imagination of Moroccan fans with their performances, marking another milestone in the country’s growing football success story following recent achievements at senior and youth levels.

Hakimi’s message underscores the strong unity within Moroccan football, as the senior national team captain continues to inspire the next generation of Lions striving to make history on the global stage.

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Morocco’s Under-20 team, the Atlas Cubs, made history on Thursday night by reaching the U-20 FIFA World Cup final for the first time ever, following a dramatic 1-1 draw with France and a nerve-wracking penalty shootout triumph.

The North Africans took the lead in the 31st minute after a VAR-assisted penalty decision. Forward Baouf was pulled down inside the box, prompting head coach Mohamed Ouahbi to use his green card to request a review. The referee awarded the penalty, and although Zabiri’s strike hit the post, it rebounded off French goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta and crossed the line — recorded officially as an own goal.

Morocco dominated much of the first half, showcasing disciplined pressing and creative build-up play. Maamma came close twice — first curling narrowly over the bar, then missing from close range after fine work by Yassine Gessime. The Moroccan midfield stayed compact, cutting off France’s supply lines and limiting them to a single first-half shot on target, comfortably saved by Yanis Benchaouch.

France drew level in the 58th minute when Lucas Michal capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home. Benchaouch soon pulled off a crucial save to deny another French chance but was later forced off injured, replaced by Gomis between the posts. Morocco pushed hard in the closing stages, with Maamma again curling just wide in the 90th minute.

Extra time produced few clear chances, though France threatened with a curling shot that drifted wide in the 102nd minute. The turning point came in the 107th minute when Nzingoula received a second yellow card for tugging Gessime’s shirt, reducing France to ten men. Morocco nearly made the advantage count, Maamma again firing inches wide in the 112th minute.

France twice came close in the 118th minute, but Morocco’s defence held firm. A late VAR handball review went in Morocco’s favour before Ouahbi made a tactical masterstroke — substituting Gomis for Mesbah to face the penalty shootout.

The Atlas Cubs held their composure in the shootout to seal a historic victory, booking their place in Sunday’s U-20 World Cup final against either Colombia or Argentina in the early hours of Monday, October 20.

This triumph marks Morocco’s first appearance in a FIFA youth World Cup final, underlining the nation’s growing stature in world football.

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