Morocco crowned U-20 World Champions for the first time in History

They did it. For the first time ever, Morocco has been crowned U20 World Champions.

In a historic night from Sunday to Monday in Santiago, Chile, the Atlas Lion Cubs stunned Argentina in the final with a dominant 2–0 win.

Superior in almost every aspect of the game, Morocco’s golden generation was led by a dazzling performance from Yassir Zabiri, who scored both goals.

• Lightning Start from Morocco

Morocco started the match at full throttle. Othmane Maamma, a constant threat for the Argentine defense, fired an early shot off-target after just two minutes — easily collected by keeper Santino Barbi.

• Zabiri’s Magical Touch

Sensing a weakness on Argentina's right side, the Atlas Lion Cubs kept pushing down that flank.

Their persistence paid off. After earning a free-kick — which also saw Barbi booked following a VAR review — Zabiri curled a stunning strike into the top-right corner, giving Morocco a deserved 1–0 lead in the 12th minute.

Argentina tried to respond, but their efforts were half-hearted. A cross from the left was easily cleared by the North African defense in the 18th minute, and Morocco quickly hit back.

• Zabiri Strikes Again – Morocco on Cloud Nine

Maamma, involved in almost every attacking move, left his marker behind and whipped in a low cross to the far post, where Zabiri calmly slotted home his second of the night (2–0, 29').

The 20-year-old striker’s brace took his tally to five goals in the tournament, putting him at the top of the scoring charts.

Argentina looked shell-shocked and out of rhythm. Juan Villalba misfired a simple pass into touch (36'), and another cross from the left met the same fate (38').

Even when Morocco sat back to conserve energy, Argentina failed to capitalize. The red-and-green defense remained compact, disciplined, and impossible to break down.

• Maamma Nearly Adds a Third

In stoppage time of the first half, Argentina had a golden chance to pull one back.

Mateo Silvetti was sent through on goal with a perfect through-ball, but he dragged his shot just inches wide of the far post (45+4').

Morocco responded immediately. Maamma beat his defender on the right and fired a powerful low shot toward the near post, but an Argentine defender made a last-ditch clearance to deny a third goal (45+5').

• Second Half: Controlled Dominance

Morocco didn’t let up after the break. Zabiri came close to completing his hat-trick with a low drive from the edge of the box, missing the post by mere centimeters (49').

As the second half wore on, the tempo dropped slightly — but it was all part of Morocco’s plan.

They shifted into game management mode, and Argentina still couldn’t find a way through.

Their best chance came in the 73rd minute, when Gianluca Prestianni met a low cross but blasted his shot high over the bar.

That would be Argentina’s final real opportunity.

• Morocco, U20 World Champions

The final whistle blew, comfirming Morocco’s historic triumph. For the first time, the Atlas Lion Cubs are on top of the U20 world, with a fully deserved World Cup title to show for it.

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