Morocco Wins U20 World Cup Title
The Moroccan U20 football team has been crowned world champion after winning the final against Argentina (2-0) early Monday morning at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago, Chile. Morocco becomes the first Arab country to win the U20 World Cup, and the second African country after Ghana, which won the title in 2009. Morocco also becomes the ninth different country to win the title in the last nine editions of the tournament.
Match Highlights
- Yasser Zabiri opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a magnificent free kick.
- The Moroccan striker doubled the score in the 29th minute after a counter-attack led by Othmane Maâma on the right flank, concluded with a cross that Zoubairi volleyed with his left foot to send the ball into the net.
- Argentina was not truly dangerous during the match, with their best chance coming in the last seconds of the first half, with a shot from substitute Mateo Silvetti that just missed the goal.
Second-Half Performance
- The Moroccan defense remained solid in the second half, repelling all Argentine attempts to get back into the game.
- Goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomez particularly stood out in added time, saving a header from Ian Subiabre.
Argentina's Defeat
- This is Argentina's second defeat in a U20 World Cup final, after losing to Brazil (1-0) in 1983.
- Argentina holds the record with six titles, but was unable to add a seventh this time around.
