Morocco Stuns Argentina 2-0 to Win First FIFA U‑20 World Cup in Santiago

In a night that will echo through African football history, Morocco U‑20 defeated Argentina U‑20 2‑0 to claim the 2025 FIFA U‑20 World Cup final at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile, on 19 October 2025. Goals came from the nimble forward Zabiri in the 12th and 29th minutes, sealing a historic triumph for the North African side. The match drew 43,253 fans, a near‑full house in a stadium that can hold 48,665.

Road to the Final: How Both Teams Got Here

The journey began in early October. Hicham Dmz, head coach of the Moroccan side, guided his squad through a grueling Group D, punching above their weight with a 2‑0 win over Japan (10 Oct), a 1‑1 draw with Colombia (13 Oct), and a 3‑1 victory against France (16 Oct). The knockout phase saw Morocco edge past Senegal (2‑1), Brazil (1‑0) and Italy (3‑2) to book their spot in the final.

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano, appointed as Argentina’s U‑20 coach in January 2024, steered a traditionally strong side through Group A with wins over Egypt (4‑1) and South Korea (2‑0) and a 0‑0 stalemate with Portugal. The La Albiceleste’s youth side then dispatched Ecuador (1‑0), Germany (2‑1) and Spain (3‑0) to earn their eighth final appearance.

The Final Match: Key Moments and Tactical Shifts

The atmosphere was electric. Referee Maurizio Mariani (Italy) blew the opening whistle at 20:00 local time (UTC‑3). Morocco started aggressively, pressing high and exploiting the spaces behind Argentina’s back line. In the 12th minute, Zabiri collected a loose ball on the left flank, cut inside, and curled a low shot past Argentine keeper, sparking wild celebrations.

Just 17 minutes later, the same youngster doubled the lead. A swift counter‑attack saw him sprint past two defenders, slotting the ball home from six yards out. Argentina pressed for a reply, but Mascherano’s side struggled to break through a disciplined Moroccan midfield marshaled by veteran captain Youssef Benjelloun. The match ended at 2‑0, no extra time needed under the tournament’s regulations.

Historic Significance: First African Winners

The win marks the first time an African nation has lifted the U‑20 trophy since Ghana’s surprise penalty shoot‑out win in 2009. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation praised the achievement as "the culmination of years of investment in youth development".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino released a statement at 22:15 UTC: "Morocco's achievement represents a watershed moment for African football development. This victory demonstrates the global expansion of football talent and validates FIFA's investment in youth programmes across the continent." CAF reported a 287 % spike in digital engagement, with 12.3 million concurrent viewers on CAF TV during the match.

Reactions: Voices from the Pitch and the Stands

After the final whistle, Dmz hugged his players, saying, "You have written a new chapter in African football. Tonight, we proved that talent knows no borders." Mascherano, while disappointed, congratulated the opponents: "They deserved it. We will learn, we will grow, and we will come back stronger."

Fans in the stadium were a kaleidoscope of colors – Moroccan flags fluttering alongside Argentine scarves. In Casablanca, street celebrations erupted; vendors handed out free kebabs, and spontaneous chants of "Les Lions du Maroc" filled the night air. In Buenos Aires, a quieter scene unfolded as supporters gathered at a sports bar, acknowledging the loss with solemn respect.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for African Football

The triumph could reshape scouting patterns. European clubs have already sent scouts to Morocco’s youth academies, eyeing the next wave of talent. Moreover, the success may encourage other African federations to double‑down on grassroots programmes, hoping to replicate Morocco’s model of structured coaching and international exposure.

In the short term, Morocco’s U‑20 side will return home for a hero’s welcome and soon begin preparations for the 2027 edition, which they will automatically qualify for as defending champions. Argentina, meanwhile, will likely conduct a tactical review and may consider integrating some of the U‑20 players into the senior squad.

Key Facts

• Final score: Morocco 2 – 0 Argentina
• Goal scorer: Zabiri (12', 29')
• Attendance: 43,253 at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos
• Historic first: First African nation to win the FIFA U‑20 World Cup
• CAF digital engagement jumped 287 % during the final