Morocco held their nerve to reach the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating France 6–5 on penalties, following a pulsating 1-1 draw that stretched through 120 minutes at the Elías Figueroa Brande Stadium in Valparaíso.
The North Africans now await the winner of Thursday’s Colombia–Argentina semi-final to determine their opponent in the title decider.
Morocco went ahead in the 32nd minute when Yassir Zabiri’s penalty took a wicked deflection off French defender Lisandru Olmeta and ended up in the back of the net. France, however, drew level in the 59th minute through Lucas Michal’s composed finish.
The game remained finely poised despite several late chances, with Morocco’s progress complicated by the injury to starting goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch, who was replaced by Ibrahim Gomis early in the second half.
France’s hopes dimmed in extra time after Rabby Nzingoula was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving Les Bleuets with 10 men. Morocco pushed for a winner, with Othmane Maamma coming closest, but neither side could find the net before the shootout.
In the ensuing penalties, Morocco converted all six of their spot-kicks through Younes El Bahraoui, Ilias Boumassaoudi, Yassir Zabiri, Mohamed Hamony, Saad El Haddad, and Byar, while France faltered once to seal their exit.
It was a night of jubilation for Moroccan fans, who turned the Valparaíso venue into a sea of red and green as the Atlas Cubs celebrated a famous victory and a first-ever appearance in the U-20 World Cup final.
France will now play in the third-place match against Colombia as Morocco prepare for Sunday’s grand finale against Argentina.
