In a night to remember in Santiago, Morocco made history by clinching their first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title, defeating six-time champions Argentina 2-0 in the final on Sunday. With this monumental victory, Morocco became only the second African nation to win the tournament, following Ghana’s triumph in 2009.

Zabiri’s Early Brilliance Seals It for Morocco

The hero of the final was undoubtedly Yassir Zabiri, who struck twice in the first half to put Morocco firmly in control. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute and followed it up with another precise finish in the 29th. Under the guidance of head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco held their composure throughout and never looked threatened by the heavily favoured Argentine side.

Zabiri’s electric performance earned him the Man of the Match award, and his two clinical goals proved decisive in ending Argentina’s remarkable unbeaten run in U-20 World Cup finals that dated back over four decades.

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Argentina’s Winning Streak Broken

Argentina came into the final as overwhelming favourites, having won all six of their matches leading up to the final. They topped Group D with a perfect record and then dispatched Nigeria, Mexico, and Colombia in the knockout stages, scoring 15 goals and conceding just twice along the way. But on this night, the Albiceleste were outplayed, and the North African side denied them a seventh U-20 crown.

This defeat marked Argentina’s first loss in a U-20 World Cup final since 1983, when they were beaten by rivals Brazil. The result not only ended their title hopes but also handed Morocco a win for the ages.

Individual Honours and Standout Performers

While Morocco celebrated the team victory, individual brilliance was also recognised. Othmane Maamma of Morocco was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, a testament to his consistent impact throughout the campaign.

The Golden Boot went to Benjamin Cremaschi of the United States, who was one of three players to score five goals in the tournament. He edged out Neyser Villareal (Colombia) and Lucas Michal (France) on assists.

Morocco’s Road to Glory

Morocco’s title run was nothing short of extraordinary. They topped Group C, securing wins over heavyweights Spain and Brazil. In the knockout stages, they showcased nerves of steel, winning dramatic penalty shootouts against the Republic of Korea, USA, and France to book their place in the final.

Their journey was defined by discipline, tactical execution, and moments of brilliance, a combination that ultimately delivered them their most significant football achievement at the youth level.

A Landmark Moment for African Football

Morocco’s triumph not only brings pride to the nation but also serves as a landmark moment for African football on the global stage. Breaking Argentina’s long-standing dominance and lifting the U-20 World Cup is a testament to the growing strength and potential of African footballing nations.

As the celebrations begin in Rabat and across the country, Morocco’s young stars have etched their names into the history books – not just as champions, but as trailblazers for a new era in African football.

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