Morocco advanced to their first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup final on Wednesday, overcoming former champions France in a dramatic penalty shootout after their semifinal clash ended 1-1 in Valparaíso, Chile.
The North African nation secured their historic victory by converting five of six penalty kicks, while France managed to score four of six attempts. This marks a significant milestone for Moroccan football, surpassing their previous best finish of fourth place in 2005.
Morocco now stands poised to become only the second African country to lift the U-20 World Cup trophy, following Ghana’s success in 2009. France, champions in 2013, will instead compete for third place on Saturday.
During regulation play, Morocco initially took the lead in the 32nd minute. Yassir Zabiri’s penalty kick struck the post, but the ball fortuitously rebounded off French goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta’s back and into the net.
France equalized in the 59th minute through Lucas Michal, who netted his fifth goal of the tournament. His strike placed him among the competition’s top scorers, alongside Colombia’s Néiser Villarreal and the United States’ Benjamin Cremaschi.
The match, which proceeded into extra time, was not without its unusual incidents. Morocco was compelled to use all three of its available goalkeepers during the game. The starting keeper sustained an injury in the second half, and the first substitute was later replaced by a technical decision late in extra time.
France also faced challenges, playing with 10 men from the 107th minute after Rabby Nzingoula, who entered the match as a substitute in the 87th minute, received a second yellow card.
Morocco now awaits the outcome of the second semifinal, where record six-time champions Argentina will face Colombia in Santiago. The winner of that contest will play Morocco in the final on Sunday.