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| Morocco u-20 |
Morocco have made history by winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, defeating Argentina 2–0 in the final in Santiago. The Atlas Cubs sealed the victory with two first-half goals from standout forward Yassir Zabiri, securing the country’s first-ever title at this level and marking a milestone moment for African and Arab football.
From the first whistle the Atlas Cubs showed no nerves. Morocco struck early when Zabiri bent a stunning free-kick past the wall and the keeper to break the deadlock in the 12th minute — a goal that stunned an Argentine side used to dictating tempo at youth level. Seventeen minutes later Zabiri was at it again, this time tucking home a close-range finish after a period of sustained Moroccan pressure to make it 2–0 and send the travelling support into delirium. Those two moments proved decisive.
Argentina had the lion’s share of possession and peppered the Moroccan penalty area at times, but they found a disciplined, compact unit in front of goal. Morocco’s backline and midfield broke up play smartly, while the keeper produced a couple of important saves to keep the sheet clean. For long stretches the match felt like a poker game: Argentina probing, Morocco waiting, then striking with clinical efficiency.
The road to the final only added to the storybook arc. Morocco reached the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final in which they held France and then prevailed in a penalty shootout — a test of character that the team passed with flying colours and which clearly steel-tempered them for the final. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s emphasis on mental strength and humility throughout the tournament showed on the biggest stage.
When the final whistle blew it was more than a trophy — it was a breakthrough. This is Morocco’s first U-20 World Cup title and, as many outlets have noted, a landmark moment for Arab football: the Atlas Cubs became the first Arab nation to lift the U-20 trophy. Players we watched as teenagers in this tournament will now return home as national heroes, and clubs across Europe will be scribbling their names into scouting notebooks.
Post-match emotions were raw and real. You could see relief and wonder on the players’ faces — mothers, coaches and teammates embracing on the pitch — scenes that speak to how much this victory means beyond sport: pride, possibility, and belief in a generation coming through. Coach Ouahbi, who repeatedly spoke about teamwork and humility in the build-up, now has the silverware to show for it and a country to celebrate with.
What comes next is exciting to imagine. A generation that has just proven it can beat the best at youth level will now be watched closely as they make the step into senior football. For Morocco, tonight is a proof point: long-term planning, technical coaching and belief can turn potential into history. For the neutral, it was a reminder that football’s next big names often arrive out of the blue — and when they do, they change the map.
World Champions! 🏆🇲🇦#U20WC pic.twitter.com/oG1N7WsTJM
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 20, 2025
