After both teams won their respective semi-final matches with a lot of effort, Morocco will play Argentina in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final.
At the Elías Figueroa Brande Stadium in Valparaíso, Morocco advanced to the historic final by defeating France 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate that lasted 120 tight minutes.
In the 32nd minute, Morocco took the lead through a penalty kick from Yassir Zabiri, but the attempt was officially declared an own goal after it bounced off French defender Lisandru Olmeta and into the net.
Lucas Michal of France equalized the score with a close-range effort in the 59th minute. In regular or extra time, neither team was able to find a winner despite multiple late chances.
Ibrahim Gomis covered for Yanis Benchaouch, Morocco’s goalie, who had to be substituted early in the second half due to an injury.
Les Bleuets had to play with 10 men at the end of extra time after Rabby Nzingoula was given a second yellow card, dampening France’s aspirations.
Morocco remained composed in the penalty shootout. Byar, Mohamed Hamony, Ilias Boumassaoudi, Younes El Bahraoui, Saad El Haddad, and Yassir Zabiri all converted their penalty kicks to complete a 6-5 victory, sending Moroccan supporters into a frenzy of delight.
In the other semi-final, held at the Estadio Nacional de Santiago, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0. Mateo Silvetti’s goal in the 74th minute, which Gianluca Prestianni helped with, was the game-winning goal. Colombia’s chances of a comeback were then dashed when they were relegated to 10 men.
On Monday, October 20, Argentina, the tournament’s six-time champions, will play Morocco in an attempt to win a record-tying seventh championship.
Morocco is making history by becoming the third country in Africa, following Ghana and Nigeria, to advance to the U-20 World Cup final.
The third-place play-off between France and Colombia is scheduled for Saturday, October 18.
