Historic Victory: Morocco Stuns Argentina 2-0, Wins U-20 World Cup/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Morocco shocked football powerhouse Argentina with a 2-0 victory in the Under-20 World Cup final, marking the nation’s first-ever World Cup win at any age level. Yassir Zabiri scored both goals in a dominant first half. Morocco became the first African nation to win the U-20 title since Ghana in 2009.
Morocco’s U-20 World Cup Triumph Quick Looks
- Morocco defeated Argentina 2-0 in U-20 World Cup final
- First time Morocco has won a World Cup at any level
- Yassir Zabiri scored both goals in the first half
- Morocco beat South Korea, USA, and France en route to final
- Argentina suffered its only tournament loss in the final
- Claudio Echeverri and Franco Mastantuono missed the tournament for Argentina
- Morocco is first African winner since Ghana in 2009
- Argentina’s senior team already qualified for 2026 World Cup
- Historic moment for Moroccan football and African youth soccer
- Tournament held in Chile; final played Sunday night
Deep Look: Morocco Defeats Argentina to Win First-Ever U-20 World Cup
CHILE (Oct. 19, 2025) — In a night that will be remembered as a landmark moment for African football, Morocco made history by defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final of the Under-20 World Cup. The victory not only secured Morocco’s first-ever World Cup title at any level, but it also ended Argentina’s unbeaten run in the tournament and reasserted Africa’s place on the global youth football stage.
Zabiri’s Double Seals Historic Win
The hero of the match was Yassir Zabiri, a forward who plays professionally for FC Famalicão in Portugal. Zabiri scored both of Morocco’s goals in the first half, giving his team an early 2-0 lead that they never relinquished.
Argentina, despite its deep football pedigree and a strong campaign up to the final, was unable to respond, especially without its top two U-20 talents—Claudio Echeverri of Bayer Leverkusen and Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid—both absent from the squad.
Morocco’s Dominant Tournament Run
Morocco’s triumph in Chile capped off an impressive journey through the knockout stages. The North African side took down South Korea, the United States, and France before delivering a clinical performance against Argentina in the final.
With the win, Morocco became the first African nation to win the U-20 World Cup since Ghana in 2009, and only the second African team ever to do so. The tournament victory represents a new era for Moroccan football, reinforcing the country’s recent rise across all levels of international competition.
Argentina’s Disappointment in the Final
Argentina entered the match as the favorite, having cruised through the earlier stages of the tournament. The South American powerhouse was eyeing a seventh U-20 title, which would have extended its record as the most successful nation in the competition’s history.
But without Echeverri and Mastantuono, the Albiceleste lacked the firepower and creativity needed to break down a resolute Moroccan defense. The loss marked Argentina’s only defeat of the tournament, and came despite their senior team already being qualified for the 2026 World Cup, where they’ll attempt to defend their 2022 title.
A Turning Point for Moroccan Football
This youth title adds another chapter to Morocco’s rapidly growing football legacy. After a standout performance in the 2022 World Cup, where their senior team became the first African nation to reach the semifinals, Morocco is proving its success is no longer a one-off event.
Their U-20 triumph is a reflection of the investments being made in youth development, infrastructure, and talent scouting across the country. It also sets the stage for a generation of young Moroccan players to move into the senior ranks with experience and confidence on the world stage.
African Football’s Moment
Morocco’s win could have ripple effects across the continent. With African nations often overlooked in global youth competitions, this title serves as a powerful reminder that the talent pool in Africa is deep and rising fast. It also challenges traditional football power dynamics, especially as more African players break into top European clubs at younger ages.
This historic moment may very well inspire other nations on the continent to invest more in youth academies and development pathways to build the next wave of world-class talent.
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