The Junior Atlas Lions of Morocco defeated Argentina 2–0 to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time in history in the early hours of Monday, Chile.
Yassir Zabiri opened the scoring with a decisive penalty in the 12th minute before getting on the score sheet again in the 29th minute to put his side 2-0 ahead.
Morocco made its first U-20 World Cup final appearance after defeating France on penalties.
On their part, six-time winners Argentina reached the final with a hardfought 1–0 win over Colombia.
The victory makes Morocco the first African nation to win the U-20 World Cup since Ghana in 2009.
Meanwhile, Colombia secured third place after defeating France 1–0 on Saturday.
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Africa’s other representatives at this year’s tournament were Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, U-20 AFCON title winners South Africa and Egypt.
Both the Flying Eagles and South Africa were eliminated in the round of 16, losing 4-0 and 3-1 to Argentina and Colombia respectively. Egypt was knocked out at the group stage.
In the football event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Morocco won the bronze medal, after beating Egypt 6-0 in the third place match.
By James Agberebi
10 Comments
Congrats to my in-laws and Africa.
Indeed Chief SO, the capo, indeed.
Much respects
A country with a vision. Nigeria is just clueless
Congratulations Morocco. I’m actually supported you when that useless NFF team started playing rubbish.
The goal Nigeria could not achieve in 100 years you did it just like that.
No more only Ghana has won it.
Congratulations Morocco!Nigeria has played this tournament many times yet we can’t win it.This is Morocco’s 4th attempt and they won wow!
Winning finals is a combination of hardworking, commitment and luck! It’s not by how many times you get to the finals. Nigerian U20 side has been to the World Cup more than any other African country and got to the Final and were runners up (Silver medal) twice in 1989 and 2005. With a bit of luck, we would have been champions twice before even Ghana won it in 2009 in Egypt.
I don’t like the way some commentary like bringing Nigerian teams, and even NFF, down anytime any African team appear more successful. This same Moroccan team could not beat Nigerian U20 team at the recent AFCON held in Egypt, and even South Africa U20 beat them in the final to win the African Cup few months ago.
It must be noted that the type of funds and Finances the North Africans and South Africa commit to football is not available to Nigeria with much larger population and geographical size to look after. That is why the per capita GDP/Income of the mentioned countries is higher than Nigeria’s. You can now see why the best of Nigerians rush to leave Nigeria for foreign teams even to Azerbaijan, Slovenia and even South Africa and Tunisia whose National league players earn far more, and you can see the result from yesterday’s mauling of Remo boys by the South African Memelodi Sundown men.
Well deserved. Morocco is doing things right and they are getting results. One day they will rule the world while our football administrators keep stealing till our football finally dies.
The last time Nigeria reached under 20 world cup final was 20 years ago (2005). Morocco, from “nowhere” just decimated that to show what “improvement” really is.
Make I dey keep these fears down for Morocco until maybe one day, Nigeria football and their henchmen go awake from the rot it currently is:
* World cup Playoff host (Africa) because of “ordinary world class infrastructure”: Morocco
* WAFCON 2026 host (automatic qualifiers) after reaching 2 finals yet lost both matches (a third one is not impossible) — Morocco
* The only African nation that attracted 2023 Women’s world cup winning coach (Jorge Vilda) and two time UEFA women’s champions league winner (Reynald Pedros) and didn’t owe their salaries — Morocco
* 2030 FIFA world cup co-host (that means there’ll be no fear of playoff or missing out) after reaching the semi finals in Qatar 2022 — Morocco
* Automatic qualifiers and host of under 17 wwc every year till 2029 — Morocco
* FIFA World ranking number 12 — Morocco
* The only team to win all 10 FIFA world cup 2026 qualifiers even on potato pitches — Morocco.
* (Recent/current) Olympics football bronze medallist — Morocco
* Newly crowned Under 20 World cup champions (that has eluded Nigeria since it first participated in 1983 (Nigeria has appeared in 13 WC editions)) — Morocco.
What has NFF achieved? No new stadia? No outstanding bonuses cleared? No new talent pool supply chain in both men and women’s football except blatant nepotism? No ongoing project to mark as distinct one or game changing? Only qualifying to receive grants that are unaccounted for since FG still sends them money? We aren’t even continental giants at any level in CAF competitions whether in clubs and people still shove patriotism inside mediocrity?
Cape Verde will soon be Continental giants after they taste 2026 world cup finals next year since they are the only debutants from Africa after the remaining 8 qualifiers participated before with Morocco raising the bar in 2022.
It is true, Pele, an African nation will win the world cup and it will not be Nigeria as it stands who loves to build something on nothing and expect a magical foundation.
Some diasporan players are even playing roulette with us by being ice cold on choosing us.
Ordinary WAFU B competitions, we dey fall hand. Na major tournaments we dey expect breakthrough? That’s insanity and thanks to NFF, they have next cup editions to improve on the madness of doing the same thing over again and hoping for new result while the rest of Africa eclipse us.
Afcon 2025 hosts Morocco are already favorites but imagine what winning under 20 world cup will do for the psyche of their next generation since they have pure class, untainted development agenda?
Congratulations, Morocco. I get am before no be property. Our records will soon pale into insignificant memory when our “mates” on the continent are winning the competitions we so boasted about only a few years back.
Pots 3 and 4, na really some countries dey there and time and chance no dey discriminate who go dey inside.
Now, Morocco is worth being patriotic for. Let the babes of yesterday show the ancestors how things can be done efficiently.
They no dey use shame drink poison. Nigeria football has lost the plot. Make them go beg for template of success unless it is anathema to progress
@Dr.Tee, who told you your football is still alive, Nigeria football is long dead, it only memories that we have.
This present nff board needs to over haul. Allow fresh breed with featuristic ideal to run it.
Wise words, @Wike.