Aballou: A site made by fans, for fans

Morocco U17 Stuns Mali 3-2 to Reach the World Cup U-17 Quarterfinals

18 November 2025

Morocco U17 Stuns Mali 3-2 to Reach the World Cup U-17 Quarterfinals
Morocco U17 celebrate advancing to the quarterfinals after a dramatic 3-2 win over Mali in Qatar.

Rapid-fire start seals Morocco's 3-2 win

In a high-stakes Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco’s youngsters delivered a fast-paced, fiercely competitive performance to down Mali 3-2 and book a quarterfinal berth.

Turning points: tactics, goals, and revenge

Coach Nabil Bahaa kept faith with the system that carried the group stage, including starting his son Ziad Bahaa in attack while Abdullah Wazan pulled the strings in midfield. Three Moroccan goals came in the first 15 minutes, and a late Mali penalty—driven by video review—leveled the score at 2-2 by halftime. In the second half, Ismail Al-Oud struck to restore the lead, and Morocco added a third before a late consolation from Mali trimmed the margin to 3-2. The win confirms Morocco's arrival on the world stage and sets up a looming Brazil tie in the quarters.

Looking ahead

The win propels Morocco toward a Brazil showdown, a test of character for the young side as they chase a historic run in the tournament. Punchlines: If speed rules football, these youngsters just filed a speeding ticket to the quarterfinals. And if pace is king, Morocco’s frontline just crowned themselves with a sprint hat-trick.

Author

Avatar

Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score and outcome?

Morocco U-17 defeated Mali U-17 3-2 in the Round of 16 to reach the World Cup U-17 quarterfinals.

Who do Morocco face next?

Morocco will play Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Where was the match played?

The match took place in Qatar during the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

What was notable about the team selection?

Coach Nabil Bahaa kept the same tactical approach from the group stage and started his son Ziad Bahaa in attack, with Abdullah Wazan controlling midfield.