Morocco U17s Fireworks: A 16-0 World Cup Miracle That Shook the Group Stage

Rising from early setbacks

Morocco under 17s rebound from two opening losses to deliver a historic 16-0 victory over New Caledonia in the group stage of the FIFA U 17 World Cup in Qatar.

Head coach Nabil Bahha makes seven changes after the heavy defeat to Portugal. He benches Abdullah Wazan and his son Ziad Bahha and recalls players who had not featured since the African Cup of Nations triumph.

Right from the kickoff the team pushes and the first goal comes in the third minute from Bilal Sakrat.

Walid Ben Salah adds a quick brace with goals in the ninth and the twelfth minutes, signaling a one sided contest that Morocco would dominate throughout.

Two Caledonia players are sent off after a video review for a heavy and violent challenge on the Dawudi, leaving the opponent with ten men early in the game.

By halftime the score already reads six to zero as Haidani finds the net to complete a dominant first half for the Moroccan side.

Lineup changes and the turning point

The changes in the team reflect a bold gamble by the coach, aiming to unleash fresh momentum and reset the rhythm after the Portugal defeat. The lineup features players who had not featured prominently this campaign, including Arabawi and Ylias Saidi, among others.

Morocco continue to press in the second half, with Bahha adding extra firepower by fielding his son Ziad Bahha as an additional forward and pouring more numbers forward in attack.

In the dugout, Bahha speaks of focus and intensity as the team seeks to discipline its high pressing and convert chances into goals.

As the match progresses, the Moroccan defense stays compact while the attack carves open space with crisp passing and relentless runs, keeping New Caledonia on the back foot and contributing to the record breaking performance.

The onslaught and a historic tally

The sequence of goals continues with Dawudi scoring twice in the 41st and 42nd minutes, extending the lead further and boosting the team’s confidence.

Subsequently, Abdullah Wazan finishes a series of attacks with the 12th goal at 73 minutes, followed by Haidani striking for the 13th in the 75th minute and Ismail Al Oud adding the 14th in the 79th.

Morocco then adds two more goals through Abdullah Wazan in the 89th and 93rd minutes, bringing the final tally to 16-0 and sealing a historic result for the team and the competition.

Morocco celebrate with a display that will be remembered as a high point in youth football history and a showcase of young talent thriving under pressure.

With the match wrapped up, Morocco look ahead to the remaining group games and a possible push to reach the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams in the group.

Punchline 1: If goals were tickets, Morocco just sold out the entire stadium, and then some. Punchline 2: That is not a scoreboard, it is a confetti cannon with good wardrobe and better finishing.