Morocco's Youth Triumph: Morocco U17 Surges Past USA on Penalties in the FIFA U-17 World Cup

Match Overview

The Morocco under-17 team extended its strong run against the United States, advancing in the FIFA U-17 World Cup after a 4-3 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw. The Moroccans had previously defeated the U.S. in other youth-age categories, underscoring a rising trajectory for the Moroccan program.

Coach Nabil Baha kept the core lineup that had crushed Kal edonia 16-0, rotating a few options off the bench to balance freshness and experience. The decision reinforced the trust in key pillars who had featured in earlier rounds alongside the squad’s depth.

Goalkeeper Alaa Boularoush retained his spot, despite some criticism after the Portugal match, and stood tall when it mattered most in the shootout.

First blood for the Americans

The match opened with both teams cautious and the ball mostly in midfield, as defences set the tone. The first real moment came from the Moroccan side when Dawoudi fired narrowly wide inside the box after a smart exchange.

The United States answered with long balls that tested the Moroccan back line and the shorter, resolute Arbawi defense, keeping the tempo tense and compact.

In the 30th minute, Tolovan exploited a defensive lapse to fire the Americans in front, a strike that shifted the balance and put Morocco on the back foot as the clock pressed toward halftime.

Morocco regrouped after the break, tightening their pressing as they sought the equalizer, while the Americans remained a danger on the counter and with set pieces.

A lifeline and a controversial moment

Morocco’s push paid dividends as they pushed for parity. At one point Zakri saw a ball in the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review, keeping the scoreline 1-1 and leaving the stadium awash with anticipation.

Moments later, a handball by Adams sparked debate in the stands and among Morocco’s staff, but the referee chose not to award a penalty, keeping the drama alive as the clock ticked on.

With the siege at the door, Abdulah Wazan produced a moment of individual genius, receiving a ball near the midway line, dribbling through several defenders and firing home to level matters in the 89th minute. The comeback sent the crowd into a frenzy as the match headed toward added time and a nerve-wracking finish.

Penalty shootout victory

The contest went to penalties, and Boularoush emerged as Morocco’s hero, stopping two attempts from Sanchez and Cariso to seal a dramatic 4-3 shootout win and push the Moroccans into the next round of the tournament in Indonesia.

Morocco’s goalkeeper’s performance echoed the team’s resilience throughout, a fitting continuation of a program that has yielded success across different age brackets for the national program. The result sends the Moroccan youth program a strong signal as they aim for further progress in the tournament.

Story continues

As the Moroccan side celebrates, the spotlight now shifts to the next challenge in the competition, where every minute will demand the same focus and unity that carried them through this tough test against the United States.

Punchline time: Morocco showed they can turn pressure into poetry—like a sniper who never misses a crosshair, just with fewer silenced weapons and more clever footwork. Punchline 2: When penalties come calling, Boularoush picked up the phone and answered with two spectacular saves—turns out even fate hates a cliffhanger when a goalie is in town.