Morocco – U20 World Champions in Football

The Morocco national youth team clinched the U20 World Championship title. In the tournament final held in Chile, the Moroccan side secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Argentina. Both goals in the decisive match were scored by Yassir Zabiri, a forward for the Portuguese club Famalicão, and one of the tournament’s stars.

Morocco’s path to the title was impressive. In the group stage, the African team was drawn in a quartet with Spain, Brazil and Mexico. The Moroccans defeated Spain (2-0) and Brazil (2-1), losing only to Mexico (0-1), which nevertheless allowed them to advance to the knockout phase as group leaders. In the round of 16 Morocco beat South Korea (2-1), in the quarter-finals the USA (3-1), and in the semi-final they eliminated France (1-1, on penalties 5-4).

In the final against Argentina the side coached by Mohamed Ouhbi acted in a disciplined and organised manner, fully neutralising the opponent’s attacking potential. Zabiri scored a brace, and the team lifted the U20 World Cup trophy for the first time in its history.
The tournament’s best player (adidas Golden Ball) was awarded to Otmane Maam Ma from English club Watford. The silver ball went to Yassir Zabiri, the bronze to Argentine Milton Delgado.

The top scorer award (adidas Golden Boot) went to American Benjamin Kremashi, who scored five goals and made the most assists. Colombian Neiser Villarreal and Frenchman Luc Michal also netted five goals each, earning the silver and bronze boots respectively.

The best goalkeeper of the tournament (adidas Golden Glove) was Argentine Santino Barbi, who kept four consecutive clean sheets. The Fair Play award went to the USA national team.

Morocco became only the second African nation in history to win the U20 World Championship – after Ghana in 2009. The top three – Morocco, Argentina and Colombia – contained no European team, underscoring the rising competition and changing balance of power in global youth football.