By: Kwame Bediako
Morocco made history on Sunday, October 19, 2025 by becoming the second African nation after Ghana did in 2009 to win the FIFA U20 World Cup after defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final of the 2025 tournament held in Chile.
The victory at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago marked a significant achievement for African football on the global stage.
Yassir Zabiri, winger for Portuguese side Famalicao, was the star of the match, scoring both goals for Morocco.
His brace not only secured the win but also effectively shut out Argentina, which entered the final as the overwhelming favourite and six-time world champions.
Argentina had an impressive run throughout the tournament, winning all six of their matches and scoring 15 goals while conceding only two. However, Morocco’s disciplined performance and Zabiri’s clinical finishing proved decisive in stopping the dominant Argentine side.
A pivotal moment unfolded when Zabiri burst through on goal, delicately lifting the ball over Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi before being harshly challenged.
Morocco demanded a red card and a penalty, but after a VAR review, the referee issued a yellow card to Barbi and awarded Morocco a free kick instead, sparking debate among spectators.
Morocco’s victory signals a new era for African youth football, demonstrating the continent’s capacity to compete and succeed at the highest levels. This landmark win is expected to inspire generations and boost Morocco’s prominence in future international tournaments.
