2025 U20 World Cup: Morocco dominates Argentina

Morocco marked a historic milestone on Sunday by winning the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile. The Atlas Lions defeated Argentina 2-0 thanks to a spectacular brace from Yassir Zabiri, giving the kingdom its first world title in this category.

🇲🇦 An unprecedented achievement for the Atlas Lions

Facing the six-time world champions Argentina, Morocco’s U20 team delivered a top-level performance. In a Santiago stadium won over to their cause, the young Moroccans opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a masterful free kick from Zabiri, before the latter sealed the victory in the 29th minute.

This victory establishes Morocco as a new rising power in African soccer, becoming the second country on the continent to win the U20 World Cup after Ghana in 2009.

⚽ Yassir Zabiri, Morocco’s hero and the tournament’s top scorer

With five goals, Yassir Zabiri finished as the top scorer of the 2025 U20 World Cup. His teammate Othmane Maamma stood out as the best passer, while Gessime Yassine completed a formidable attacking trio.

Their collective performance illustrates the rise of Moroccan soccer, which has already been recognized at the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games.

🌍 An impressive journey to the world title

Morocco’s U20 team has had an exemplary run:

• ✅ Victories against Spain and Brazil in the group stage,
• ✅ Success against South Korea, the United States, and France in the final phase,
• ✅ Triumph in the final against Argentina.

A flawless performance that demonstrates the tactical maturity and mental strength of this golden generation.

👑 King Mohammed VI praises a “heroic” journey

After the match, King Mohammed VI congratulated the players and coaching staff. In a message relayed by the MAP news agency, he praised their “heroic journey” and expressed “immense joy and deep pride” for Morocco’s first World Cup title.

Across the country, scenes of jubilation filled the streets of Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, celebrating this historic moment.

🐐 Lionel Messi congratulates young Argentinians

Despite the defeat, the legendary Lionel Messi took to Instagram to encourage his compatriots:

“Keep your head up, you played an impressive tournament. Even without the cup, you made the country proud.”

Argentina, the competition’s record holder with six titles, has not won the U20 World Cup since 2007.

🚀 A new era for Moroccan soccer

This victory confirms the continued progress of Moroccan soccer, following:

• A historic semifinal at the 2022 World Cup,
• A bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics,
• And the co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

Morocco is now establishing itself as the spearhead of African and Arab soccer, ready to inspire a new generation of talent.