Morocco stuns Argentina 2-0 to win first U20 World Cup title

Morocco defeated Argentina 2-0 in the final of the men’s U20 World Cup on Sunday. Entering the highly anticipated clash between two continental powers, Argentina felt like the favorite based purely on historical context.

The South Americans were seeking their seventh U20 men’s title, but were instead stunned in a span of 30 minutes with two well-taken first-half goals from Morocco. A wonderful free-kick goal in the 12th minute from Yassir Zabiri got the party started at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile. Zabiri, a technical left-footed attacker, fooled Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi by striking a shot to Barbi’s side instead of going over the wall.

It was an example of elite skill that defined the African nation’s confidence on the night. Morocco are a highly technical side that understand how to defend a lead and counterattack effectively. Morocco’s second goal came in the 29th minute after winger Othmane Maamma escaped down the right side and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Zabiri, who volleyed the ball emphatically into the Argentine net. Maamma received the Golden Ball Award as the tournament’s best player.

It was absolute bedlam in Santiago as the boisterous Moroccan contingent of fans celebrated their partial victory, supported by the Chilean locals, who no doubt were in attendance to root against their South American rivals. Argentina entered the final undefeated, having secured four consecutive clean sheets.

After defeating Colombia 1-0 in the semifinal, Argentina’s players talked about relishing the role of the villain against Morocco. Colombian defender Luis Miguel Landázuri had said last week, “I think half the world is rooting for us to win tomorrow,” before Argentina’s victory. It certainly felt like the crowd was against Argentina on Sunday. But that was the least of Argentina’s troubles.

Despite ending the match with 75 percent possession and 20 total shots (three on target), Argentina could not penetrate Morocco’s low block. Argentina were sharp on the ball, but Morocco’s tireless defending was the difference on the night. Zabiri’s man-of-the-match performance and Maamma’s mesmerizing dribbles will long be remembered by the Moroccan faithful. He finished with five goals at the tournament, tied with Colombia’s Neiser Villarreal, Benjamin Cremasachi of the U.S., and France’s Lucas Michal.

The final was an intense and testy affair that highlighted Morocco’s main tactical strengths. It wasn’t pretty, and at times Morocco did embrace the notion of negative football, but the game plan of coach Mohamed Ouahbi should be applauded.

The win over Argentina cemented Morocco’s rise in world football. The senior men’s side reached the 2022 World Cup semifinal and qualified for the 2026 tournament after finishing undefeated in Group E of the African qualifiers. Morocco became the first Arab nation to reach a U20 World Cup final in 44 years. For Argentina, it was their first berth in a U20 men’s final since 2007.

Diego Placente’s squad hoped to etch their names in Argentina’s rich history in youth football. Placente was part of Argentina’s 1997 U20 team that won the year’s World Cup 2-1 over Uruguay. That Argentina team featured international stars such as Juan Roman Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Walter Samuel and current senior men’s national manager Lionel Scaloni.

The 2025 team is a well-rounded side with an impressive core of young professionals who will no doubt be part of Argentina’s future at the senior international level. But Sunday, the story was all about Morocco and its newfound place among the elites of the international game.

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