U20 World Cup: Morocco stuns Spain and kicks off their campaign in style

At the Julio Martínez Prádanos Stadium in Santiago, the Atlas Cubs delivered a dream start to their U20 World Cup campaign, dispatching Spain with a 2-0 victory. Solid, patient, and opportunistic, the Moroccans made a bold statement from day one in a fiercely competitive Group C that also features Brazil and Mexico.

A high-intensity first half

Spain took control of possession in the opening minutes, with Iker Bravo threatening with a header in the 10th minute. But Morocco responded swiftly with their trademark audacity. Zabiri sparked the charge with a shot (8’), before Gessime Yassine forced Spanish keeper González into a crucial save (17’).

The best chance of the first half belonged to Morocco: a powerful header from Ismaël Baouf off a corner (27’) that narrowly missed the target. La Roja tried to regain momentum with long-range efforts, but the Moroccan defense, well-organized and compact, stood firm. At halftime, the score was still goalless, but Morocco had already shown their teeth.

Zabiri and Yassine ignite Santiago

Straight after the restart, the Atlas Cubs seized the initiative. With a brilliant through ball, Yassir Zabiri outpaced the Spanish defense and coolly slotted past González to break the deadlock (54’). Morocco kept pressing, and Gessime Yassine doubled the lead just four minutes later, finishing off a perfect cross from Maamma (58’).

Spain tried to mount a comeback, pushing hard in the final quarter of an hour, but Benchaouch produced a decisive save to deny Belaid’s header (61’). The Iberians thought they had won a penalty (77’), only for VAR to overturn the decision. Tough in the duels and buoyed by flawless teamwork, Morocco held firm to secure a memorable win.

Group C schedule

Sunday, September 28: Morocco – Spain (2-0)

Monday, September 29: Mexico – Brazil | 23:00 GMT | Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos (Santiago)
Wednesday, October 1: Brazil – Morocco | 23:00 GMT | Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos (Santiago)

Saturday, October 4: Mexico – Morocco | 20:00 GMT | Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander (Valparaíso)

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.