Rabat — Morocco’s U20 football team started its U20 World Cup journey with a well-fought 2-0 win over Spain.
Playing part of Group C on Sunday, at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile.
The first half saw a Spanish domination in possession, with around 67 % to Morocco’s 33 %, attempting 10 shots to Morocco’s 8.
At halftime, the score remained deadlocked at 0–0.
Morocco’s Tassir Zabiri broke the deadlock, delivering a goal into the Spanish net at the 54th minute from the center of the box, giving his side a surprise 1–0 lead.
Spain responded with attacking pressure — winning a corner and launching shots from distance — but Morocco’s defense held firm.
However, four minutes following their first goal, an assist from Othmane Maamma was nicely turned into a goal by Gessime Yassine through a left-footed shot from very close range to the top right corner.
The two-goal lead boosted Morocco’s U20 team’s confidence as they showed balanced play, avoiding any mistakes that would change the score.
For Morocco, this match is part of a return to U20 World Cup action after a two-decade-long absence; they qualified as runner-ups in the U-20 AFCON.
This match’s result gives Morocco an early boost in a tough group that also includes Brazil and Mexico