SANTIAGO, Chile (News Wires) — Sixteen years after Ghana’s historic triumph, Morocco has joined the elite circle of FIFA U-20 World Cup winners. The Atlas Lion Cubs stunned Argentina 2-0 at the Julio Martínez Prádanos Stadium in Santiago, Chile, to lift their first-ever global title.
Morocco became only second African side to win the competition after Ghana in 2009, and is the first team to beat Argentina in a U-20 World Cup final in 42 years.
Inspired by a dazzling Yassir Zabiri, who netted both goals in a man-of-the-match performance, Morocco delivered a flawless display that left the six-time champions with no answers.
Under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the young Moroccans combined defensive solidity with fearless attacking football. Zabiri, the tournament’s revelation, struck twice to seal a famous victory and finished as the Golden Boot winner with five goals.
Only months after finishing runners-up at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco has now conquered the world, confirming the remarkable progress of the country’s youth development programme under the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
The individual accolades further underline Morocco’s impressive form.
Othmane Maamane was named Player of the Tournament, claiming the Golden Ball, while final hero Yassir Zabiri took home the Silver Ball as the competition’s second-best player.
The Atlas Lion Cubs have written their names in gold, inspiring a new generation across Africa and beyond
Six-times champions Argentina had been the overwhelming favourites, having won all six games leading up showpiece with 15 goals and two against.
But it was not meant to be on this evening for the Albiceleste, who had not lost in a U-20 World Cup decider since Mexico 1983 to arch-rivals Brazil.
Benjamin Cremaschi (USA), Neyser Villareal (Colombia) and Lucas Michal (France) finished as joint top scorers with five goals apiece but Cremaschi went home with the Golden Boot after registering more assists.
