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Tag: FIFA U 20 World Cup

  • Morocco beats France on penalties to qualify for historic FIFA U20 World Cup final

    Morocco beats France on penalties to qualify for historic FIFA U20 World Cup final

    The Atlas Cubs of Morocco eliminated 10-man France 5-4, on post-match penalties to qualify for their maiden FIFA U-20 World Cup final following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Wednesday night.

    Morocco looked on the brighter side of the first semi-final staged at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso in Chile, taking the lead in the 32nd minute following an own goal from the French shot-stopper Lisandru Olmeta after Yassir Zabiri hit the woodwork from a VAR review spot kick.

    Les Bleuets of France resumed the 2nd stanza, piling more pressure on counterattacks, and needed only 13 to draw level after Moustapha Dabo played a neat pass in the Moroccan box which found Lucas Michal unmarked, and beat the goalkeeper.

    Afterwards it was a cagey affair for both sides, with Morocco unable to maximise their numerical advantage following France’s Rabby Nzingoula sent off for a 2nd bookable offence, forcing the European side to play 13 minutes of the extra time with 10 men.

    The two teams were inseparable after 120 minutes, and they had to be decided via spot-kicks.

    Each side converted 4 penalties and missed 1 apiece, forcing the match decider to be determined on sudden death.

    Naim Byar scored his 6th spot kick for Morocco as their goalkeeper Abdelhakim Mesbahi, who stepped in a few seconds before the full-time whistle, saved Djylian Nguessan’s penalty to hand Morocco a place in the final.

    Morocco became the first African team to reach the final of the global showpiece since Ghana in 2009.

  • FIFA U20 World Cup reaches semifinals in Chile

    FIFA U20 World Cup reaches semifinals in Chile

    The 24th edition of the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup resumes tonight with the semifinals in Chile as teams tussle for a place in the final.

    France will tackle African side Morocco at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso from 11 pm in the first semi-final, with both eyeing a place in Sunday night’s final.

    The Atlas Cubs of Morocco, who were in the group of death, topped group C on 6 points after beating Spain 2-0, before easing to a 2-1 over Brazil, but fell to a  1 -0 loss against Mexico in the last match.

    The North Africans defeated the Korea Republic 2-1 in the round of 16 before demolishing tournament favorites the USA 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

    On their part, France qualified for the knockouts after finishing among the top 3 teams in 3rd place with 6 points from Group C.

    They opened their campaigns with a 2-1 win over South Africa before going down 3-0 to the USA and hammering New Caledonia 6-0 in the group.

    France needed extra time to eliminate Japan 1-0 in the round of 16 after a barren draw, and then dispatched Norway 2-1 in the quarter final.

    France will be Morocco for a third time in history, the French winning 4-3 and 5-4 in the two international friendlies a year ago.

    The 2nd semi, which will kick off at 2 am, will be a South American derby as Argentina takes on Colombia at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile.

    Argentina, the only side enjoying a 100% record in this year’s tournament, won their group on 9 points after beating Cuba, Australia, and Italy before thrashing Nigeria 4-0 in the last 16 and defeating Mexico 2-0.

  • Morocco breezes past favourites USA to reach historic FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinal

    Morocco breezes past favourites USA to reach historic FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinal

    The Atlas Cubs of Morocco produced a brilliant performance to knock out tournament favourites USA 3-1, in the quarterfinal of the FIFA U20 World Cup to surge into the semifinal for the first time in 20 years.

    The 3rd quarter-final played at Rancagua in Chile saw the USA dominate the possession from the kick-off but were kept at bay by the highly disciplined African giants’ defence who in response resorted to quick counter-attacks.

    Morocco took the lead in the 31st minute through Fouad Zahouani, who tapped in Othmane Maamma’s cross.

    USA kept pressing and were handed a lifeline just before the break, when Nolan Norris was pulled down in the area by Ali Maamar, with Cole Campbell converting from the spot kick.

    The 2nd half wasn’t different, as the Americans continued enjoying giant ball possession but lacked creativity in the final third.

    With quick counterattacks Morocco restored their lead in the 67th minute when Zahouani’s long throw into the box caused a defensive mix-up for USA as Joshua Wynder tapped the ball into his own net.

    In response and in search of an equaliser, the USA made a defence lapse, and Gessime Yassine capitalised on a defence 3 minutes from time for a 3rd goal to complete a marvellous performance from the only surviving African side in the tournament.

    Morocco will take on France in the last four stages as they add to the long list of Moroccan stellar performances on the global stage.

    The Atlas Lions qualified for the semi-final for the first time in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was followed up by a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

  • Argentina to clash with Colombia in the FIFA U20 World Cup semis

    Argentina to clash with Colombia in the FIFA U20 World Cup semis

    Tournament  favourites Argentina will battle Colombia in a South American derby in the semifinal of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, Colombia.

    Colombia were the first to seal their last four tickets after overcoming Spain 3-2, thanks to Neyser Villareal’s hat-trick  in the last 8 match in Talca, while Spanish goals were scored by Virgili (56) and Belaid (59).

    Los Cafeteros will be playing in the semis for the first time since 2003.

    Argentina netted early in each half to breeze past Mexico 2-0 ,in the 2nd quarterfinal-played on Saturday night.

    The Young Albiceleste will meet Colombia in the last four on the 16th of this month.

    Morocco, the only surviving African side in the tournament, will play the USA in the 3rd quarter-final before France and Norway wind up the round, with the winners set to meet in the semi-final.

  • Spain and Mexico cruise to FIFA U-20 World Cup quarters

    Spain and Mexico cruise to FIFA U-20 World Cup quarters

    Spain and Mexico booked their tickets for the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-finals after dumping out Ukraine and Chile, respectively, in the round of 16 matches played on Tuesday night.

    Mexico brought the curtains down on the hosts, Chile, after mauling them 4-1, with Tahiel Jimenez scoring the first goal in the 26th minute before Iker Fimbres added the 2nd in the 67th minute.

    Hugo Camberos’ 80th and 86th braces sealed the victory for Mexico, with the only consolation goal for the homeside coming from Juan Rossel just two minutes from the final whistle.

    In the first of the 8 round of 16 matches, Spain beat stubborn Ukraine by a solitary goal scored by Pablo Garcia in the 24th minute to advance into the last 8.

    Spain will now take on Colombia or South Africa in Talca in the quarter-final as Mexico awaits the winner between Nigeria and Argentina.

    Nigeria will take on Argentina today, while Colombia tackles African champions South Africa.

    Japan will face France early on Thursday as Paraguay plays Norway in the 2am kickoff.

  • Italy, Mexico,Spain qualify for the FIFA U-20 round of 16 as Brazil crashes out

    Italy, Mexico,Spain qualify for the FIFA U-20 round of 16 as Brazil crashes out

    Mexico got past already-qualified Morocco to finish second in Group C, while Spain eliminated five-time champions Brazil and booked their place in the knockouts by finishing third in the same section at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025.

    Iker Bravo netted the only goal to see Spain leapfrog Brazil into third place and eliminate their South American counterparts.

    A second-half Gilberto Mora penalty proved enough for Mexico to defeat Morocco and qualify behind them in second place.

    The opening period provided very little in terms of goalmouth action but exploded into life quickly after the restart. Obed Vargas scuffed a shot inside the Morocco box, which struck the hand of Anas Tajaouart on the way through.

    In Group D, Argentina finished top after beating Italy, who went through as runners-up. Australia defeated Cuba 3-2 to place third.

  • Morocco upsets Brazil to qualify for FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16

    Morocco upsets Brazil to qualify for FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16

    The Atlas Cubs of Morocco shocked football powerhouse Brazil with a stunning 2-1 win, to book their slot in the round of 16 at the FIFA U-20World Cup in Chile, on Thursday, to claim top spot in Group C.

    In the first half of a few openings, the South Americans were handed a golden chance when Luighi appeared to be tripped by Ismael Baouf in the area.

    Upon review, however, the referee reversed his decision and booked the Brazilian for simulation.

    Morocco grew into the game and took the lead when Gessime Yassine’s deep cross was turned in by a stunning Othmane Maamma scissor kick.

    Morocco made it 2-0 as Yassine battled in midfield and slipped through Yassir Zabiri, who lashed home with the outside of his boot from the left of the box.

    Brazil captain Iago Teodoro pulled one back with a late penalty, but the day belonged to the Africans.

    The Atlas Cubs will face Mexico in their next match on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander.

    Elsewhere, Argentina also booked their place in the last 16 following a 4-1 victory over Australia in Group D to register their 2nd win to guarantee themselves a top spot with a maximum of 6 points.

    The Young Albiceleste netted early as Alejo Sarco got in behind and side-footed home.

    Australia thought they’d levelled when Tiago Quintal robbed Milton Delgado in the box and lobbed Santino Barbi, but he was penalised for a foul following a review.

    Argentina quickly set about doubling their lead as Maher Carrizo squared for Tomas Perez to tap in.

    Trevor Morgan’s side got back into the game when Barbi raced out of his box and missed the ball, allowing Daniel Bennie to turn home into an unguarded net.

    Australia pushed from there but were caught cold at the back, as Ian Subiabre steered home a cut-back, before Santino Andino put the cherry on top with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.

    In the other results, Cuba pulled one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, coming from behind twice to force a 2-2 draw against Italy in Group D, while Mexico and Spain also shared spoils in another 2-2 scoreline in Group C.