The semi-final of the U-20 FIFA World Cup brought about Morocco’s most difficult match.
They were facing the competition’s European favorites.
France did not have the best start to the competition, ending 3rd place in their group, only due to gol difference.
A group they shared with the USA and South Africa.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey were still able to move on to the round of 16, having finished as one of the better 3rd places in the competition.
The french had eliminated Japan in the round of 16 and Norway in the quarter finals. They were well on their way to reaching the U-20 2025 FIFA World Cup final.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnfortunately for them, Morocco was the wall they wouldn’t be able to break through.
Kick Off
Morocco would start off as the better team in the match, though both teams would find their footing and begin a battle of endurance and tenacity.
Embed from Getty ImagesMorocco would win a penalty in the 31st minute of play after Moroccan Center Back Ismaël Baouf was brought down in the box.
Though Zabiri would hit the post, the rebound would hit France’s keeper in the back and push the ball into the back of the net.
1-0 for Morocco marked as an own gol by Lisandru Olmeta.
Embed from Getty ImagesA Slug Fest
Both teams had plenty of very clear chances that were not converted.
A Moroccan counter saw the ball cross an open gol twice before Zabiri blew the ball over the net, missing his chance to widen Morocco’s lead.
France would respond with a shot just outside the box that would force Moroccan keeper Yanis Benchaouch to dive onto the floor, barely avoiding the equalizer.
Morocco’s Gessime Yassine would open up play to Right Winger Maamma, who pulled the ball in towards gol past a French defender.
Maamma’s resulting volley would, unfortunately, fly just above the French keeper’s net.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother missed opportunity at a clear gol.
Yanis Benchaouch would again be called into action during the final minutes of the first half, blocking a shot from French Right Wing Ilane Toure.
France Draws Level
Things would continue in a similar fashion in the second half, that is, until France’s equalizer in the 59th minute.
A french team play would end with Moustapha Dabo passing the ball into the Moroccan keeper’s box from the left side of the pitch.
Lucas Michal would run in from behind the Moroccan defender to beat the keeper and easily push the ball into the back of the net.
The match was all tied up, 1-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game would continue with both sides having their fair share of chances, but the full 90 minutes would be played with no clear winner.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat meant extra time.
Going To Extra Time
Two halves, each 15 minutes, and if the two teams were still tied at the end of it that would mean penalties.
Both teams would continue to push to try and win before the final whistle, though in the 107th minute, France would go down to ten men.
Rabby Nzingoula would receive his second yellow of the match after a rather foolish foul in midfield.
Embed from Getty ImagesMaamma would fire one off just shy of the top left corner.
France would have a chance to take the lead, but Lucas Michal would be denied by the post after a botched save by the keeper left the ball at the French striker’s feet.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrench Fumble Final Chance
France would have one final clear chance at the 118th minute.
Tadjidine Mmadi ran into the center box from the right side of the pitch, past two Moroccan players, and fired off a shot.
A well-placed Moroccan defender’s leg would divert the shot away from gol but right into the feet of French Striker Djylian N’Guessan.
N’Guessan would try to fire off two consecutive shots, both of which were blocked by Moroccan bodies until the keeper recovered the ball.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere was an attempt by the French side to check for a handball during the past play, but VAR showed all was clear and fair play.
The final whistle drew closer, and in a move that perhaps influenced the final outcome, Morocco switched goalkeepers.
The second time they had done so in this match.
Embed from Getty ImagesPenalty Panic Sets In
Since all was level at the 120th minute when the final whistle was blown, the only way to decide a winner was with a penalty shoot-out.
If you’ve ever watched your team participate in a penalty shoot-out, you’ll know the feeling of dread as the players stand shoulder to shoulder in the center of the pitch.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs the realization begins to sink in, you start to feel small beads of sweat on your forehead.
Your hands are clammy, your heart beating at an accelerated rate, and your breaths are slow and long but somehow panicked.
You start to think to yourself, this is where it’s all decided.
Here.
On a single side of the pitch.
In one goalkeeper’s net.
No more passes, no more plays, no more dribbles.
It’s penalties.
I’m panicking just thinking about it.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Morocco’s Younes El Bahraoui was the first to step up to the spot.
He positioned himself, positioned the ball, and fired into the bottom left corner. Though the keeper guessed where he’d shoot, he wasn’t able to get hands on it to block the shot.
Embed from Getty Images1-0 Morocco.
Next was France’s own Lucas Michal.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe positioned the ball on the spot and backed himself to the 44-yard line, and fired it into the top right corner. No chance for the keeper who dove the other way.
1-1.
Morocco’s turn.
Ilias Boumassaoudi steps up, positions himself, and tricks the keeper into thinking he’s firing right but fires left. Gol!
Embed from Getty Images2-1 in Morocco’s favor.
For France, Gady Beyuku steps up.
Calm, cool, collected. He positions the ball, steps back to the 44-yard line, small running start, fires, and it’s into the post.
Disbelief written all over the French player’s face as Beyuku reevaluates his choices.
Embed from Getty ImagesEuphoria erupts from the Moroccan fans.
It’s still 2-1 in Morocco’s favor, and they’re up next to shoot.
Yassir Zabiri wastes little time, runs in, and chips the ball dead center. Keeper dives right.
Ice in the veins, Zabiri.
Embed from Getty ImagesMorocco’s up 3-1.
Elyaz Zidane steps up to the spot. What a last name to carry, cold stare just like his father, he doesn’t miss.
3-2, France are still trailing.
Mohamed Hamony steps up for Morocco with a bit too much pep in his step.
A slight pause before shooting gives the keeper all the time he needs to read him.
The keeper blocks the shot.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe score stays 3-2 in Morocco’s favor, but France are up next and have a chance to draw things level.
Gabin Bernardeau doesn’t waste the opportunity as he drives it into the right side of the net whilst the keeper dives left.
3-3 level again.
The pressure’s on for Moroccan Attacking Midfielder Saad El Haddad.
He takes a small run forward and hits the ball a little too low, and sends all the Moroccans into a panic, but the ball ends up in the back of the net. No chance for the keeper.
Embed from Getty Images4-3 and the pressure’s back on for France.
If they miss this shot, they go home.
Moustapha Dabo meets that pressure head-on and fires it into the bottom left corner, tricking the keeper who dove right.
Embed from Getty Images4-4, and all safety nets are gone.
Sudden Death
The first five penalty shots have been taken for each side, and things ended level.
Now whoever misses first is going home.
Naim Byar steps up for Morocco.
He positions the ball on the spot, takes a few steps back, and he shoots a smooth ball that is more precision than power right into the bottom left corner as the keeper dives right.
Embed from Getty Images5-4 for Morocco.
Everyone’s sweating now.
The pressure’s back on France, and it’s mounting.
It’s do or die for Djylian N’Guessan when he steps up to the spot.
He positions the ball, positions himself, takes a few steps back, and fires a right-footed missile into the bottom left corner.
But Hakim Mesbahi was there to meet it.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Moroccan goalkeeper, who was subbed in at the final minutes of AET (after extra time), blocked France’s penalty.
Winners And Losers
Heartbreak for the French.
Heartbreak for Djylian N’Guessan for missing the final penalty.
Heartbreak a second time for Djylian N’Guessan as he remembers the 118th minute of AET when he had consecutive chances to put France ahead.
That chance slipped away, and now the dream of being World Cup champions had slipped away.
Embed from Getty ImagesA devastating blow for France as Morocco were headed to the U-20 FIFA World Cup final to face off against none other than the undefeated Argentinians.
No repeat of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
No chance at redemption.
Morocco was in the final.
