Last-gasp Brazil strike ends Morocco’s U17 World Cup run

Early Brazilian Shock

Morocco’s under-17s surged forward at the start, pushing Brazil hard and signaling their intent to contest the quarterfinals. But the Selecao struck first in the 16th minute: a left-wing pass found the Brazilian attacker Wenderson Santos Del, who finished decisively in the box, breaking the Moroccan rhythm and testing the young goalkeeper. The goal shifted momentum and prompted Morocco to recalibrate, hoping to push Brazil into a contest that could end in penalties, as they had done in earlier rounds.

The Brazilian setback didn’t arrive without warning. Kaique repeatedly tested the Moroccan defense and threatened to widen the gap, while Morocco pressed forward with quick counters and set-piece threats. By the 23rd minute, a Moroccan miscommunication nearly tipped the scales back, but the chance was squandered as the defense recovered in time.

Regrouping and Hope

Coach Nabil Bahha persisted with the trusted XI used in the campaign’s key moments, leaving out a couple of regulars but maintaining the core structure. A defender missed out, replaced by Belhassan, while the midfield and defense held their shape to stem the Brazilian tempo. Morocco’s plan leaned on compact defending and quick transitions, with Ismail Al-Aoud driving forward on several forays and the captain’s influence in the middle crucial to keeping the contest balanced as the half wore on.

As the half progressed, Morocco enjoyed periods of pressure and created promising chances, especially from the flanks and set-pieces. The tempo swung back and forth, with Brazil content to control possession and hit on the break. The Moroccan walls were tested, but the resilience and organization of the backline and midfield kept the game within reach as the interval approached.

Brazil Ends Morocco’s Run

After the break, Brazil attempted to reclaim the initiative with a couple of long-range efforts from Ricardinho, testing the Moroccan goalkeeper in the 52nd and 54th minutes. Morocco, meanwhile, leaned on steady defending and dangerous balls into the box, with Ismail Al-Aoud and the supporting cast pressing for an equalizer. In the 45th minute +1, Ismail Al-Aoud weaved into the penalty area only to be halted by a handball, and Ziad Bahaa converted the resulting spot-kick to draw level, restoring a sense of belief among the crowd and the team.

In the second half, Morocco’s efforts to push for a second goal found form through dangerous deliveries and a heightened sense of urgency. Yet as the match wore on, fatigue and Brazil’s experience at this level began to tell. A late, decisive breakthrough for Brazil arrived in stoppage time when Wenderson Santos Del found space and beat the Moroccan goalkeeper after a breakaway. The goal, validated by video review, sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory for Brazil and sent the Moroccan camp into a mix of pride and disappointment. Morocco had reached the knockout rounds in previous editions, but their quest for a first-ever semi-final in this tournament was denied in the closing moments.

In a broader sense, the game capped a remarkable era for Moroccan youth football, which had just claimed a World Cup title in another age group, underscoring the depth of talent in the country. For Brazil, the win extended their own narrative of depth and quality at the youth level, a reminder that in football, tempo, timing, and a touch of luck often ride in the same cart.