Morocco U20 Stuns Brazil to Book a Last-16 Ticket at World Cup U20 Chile 2025
2 octobre 2025
Morocco's march to the last 16
Morocco's under-20 team kept their stellar World Cup run alive in Chile by beating Brazil 2-1, following a 2-0 victory over Spain in the opener. With six points from two games, they sit atop Group A and now prepare for a final group match against Mexico that could decide their fate in the knockout rounds.
Key moments and players
The opening goal arrived in the 60th minute when Othman Maama, a Watford forward, produced a spectacular acrobatic finish. In the 76th minute, Yasser Zebiri sealed the win with a left-footed strike. Brazil pulled one back from a stoppage-time penalty, but the Moroccan lead held. Morocco's defense and goalkeeper also stood tall against sustained Brazilian pressure.
Coach and Brazil's reaction
Morocco coach Mohamed Wahbi praised a second-half display that corrected the flaws of the first period, saying the team showed positivity and unity. Brazil coach Ramon Menezes described the defeat as painful, acknowledging they created chances but failed to convert and noting that football lasts 90 minutes, not just bursts of speed.
Historical context and outlook
The result added to a growing narrative about Moroccan football: they had opened with a win over Spain, and this victory against Brazil marks another milestone in their youth program. Morocco became the first Arab-African team to win against Brazil in three consecutive matches across age groups, underscoring the country’s rising status in world football. The campaign is seen as part of a broader positive trend across Moroccan football, which has already produced strong senior-level showings in recent years.
Punchline 1: If defending were a language, Morocco's backline would be fluent in “we’ve got this.”
Punchline 2: And if the coach’s whistle had a ringtone, it would be “to-be-continued,” because this team loves writing sequels.
