Morocco U20 team power into World Cup semis in first appearance after two decades in cold

Twenty years after their last U-20 World Cup appearance, Morocco has returned to the top in style, reaching the semifinals and eliminating a powerful United States team, which continues to wait to break its own quarterfinal curse dating back to 1989.

The Atlas Lions are roaring again, disciplined, fearless, and back among the world’s best.

Morocco and the United States faced each other in one of the most attractive quarterfinal matches of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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Two of the tournament’s biggest favourites, both of whom had impressed in the earlier rounds, knew each other well, having already met twice in friendlies, with one draw and one American victory.

But this time, in a tense and balanced encounter in Rancagua, Morocco ended the Americans’ World Cup dream.

The script of the first half was clear.

Marko Mitrović’s men sought to dominate possession, while Morocco remained compact and disciplined, waiting for their moment to strike on the counterattack.

It was a tactical chess match, solidity and structure versus speed and flair.

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The first 45 minutes were mostly played in Morocco’s half, with the Atlas Lions under pressure from a dominant, direct United States side. Gozo came close to scoring with a curling cross from the left that struck the crossbar.

But just after the half-hour mark, perhaps during the Americans’ best period, magic arrived.

El Haddad, after skillfully beating his marker, delivered a perfectly measured 20-meter cross to the far post, where Maamma was waiting.

The United States' keeper made the initial save, but the Moroccan number 7, with a spectacular backheel reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, turned the rebound into an extraordinary assist for Zahouani, who slid in ahead of Zabiri to send the ball into the net.

The goal was reviewed by VAR for a possible foul in the buildup, but after three minutes, Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega confirmed it would stand.

The goal only increased the Americans’ urgency. They pressed higher, dominated possession, and launched waves of crosses into the Moroccan box.

In just five minutes, they won seven corners, and eventually, their persistence paid off.

Just before halftime, the referee penalized Maamar for holding Norris inside the area. Captain Benjamin Cremaschi, the tournament’s top scorer, entrusted the penalty to Cole Campbell. Moroccan goalkeeper Benchaouch guessed correctly, diving to his left, but Campbell’s shot was precise, finding the corner to make it 1–1.

The second half opened up with more intensity and space. Morocco pushed forward after conceding, leading to a more end-to-end contest.

Maamma initiated a strong attacking move that culminated in a throw-in near the United States’ box.

From that very throw-in, Zabiri showed his sharp instincts. Reacting fastest in a moment of hesitation in the American defense, he pounced on a deflection from Wynder at the near post, and the ball found its way into the net to restore Morocco’s lead.

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Team USA tried to react, pushing the Africans back into their box, but struggled to find accuracy in the final third.

Morocco, meanwhile, held firm and exploited the space behind the defense with long balls. One of those counterattacks sealed the match: Ilias Boumassaoudi capitalized on a costly mistake from Beaoudry and set up Yassine, who calmly slotted home in an open goal to make it 3–1.