Morocco vs France U20: minute-by-minute, highlights and stats from the U-20 World Cup semi-final

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Morocco vs France U20

Morocco booked a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final after a tense 1–1 draw with France and a 5–4 victory on penalties in Valparaíso. A wild first-half sequence produced a Morocco lead via an own goal, France leveled after the break, and the Atlas Cubs survived waves of pressure before holding their nerve from the spot.

How the drama unfolded — minute by minute

Kick-off: Fast tempo from France, Morocco compact in a 4-2-3-1 and looking to spring wide runners.

29’ VAR check — penalty to Morocco
Contact in the box on Ismaël Baouf triggers a review; the referee points to the spot.

32’ Penalty chaos → Morocco 1–0
Yassir Zabiri’s spot-kick smashes the woodwork; in the ensuing scramble the ball deflects in off goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta for an own goal. Morocco lead.

HT: Morocco 1–0 France
France dominate territory and corners, Morocco’s back line clears everything in the air.

59’ Goal — France 1–1 Morocco
Winger Lucas Michal arrives at the back post to turn in from close range after sustained French pressure.

72’ VAR review — no penalty
Another Moroccan shout is waved away after a lengthy check.

90’ FT: 1–1 → Extra Time
France keep probing; Morocco threaten in transition but manage the clock.

ET first period: Few chances, heavy legs; benches become vital.

ET second period: Keepers star. Morocco’s Yanis Benchaouch produces a big stop; France snuffs out a late Moroccan break.

Penalties — Morocco win 5–4
Both sides convert with ice-cold precision until the decisive kick sends the Atlas Cubs to the final.

Key highlights and turning points

Set-piece stress test passed: Morocco conceded a torrent of corners but defended the first ball ferociously and won most second balls around the D.
Wide overloads from France: Repeated switches isolated Morocco’s full-backs; the equalizer came from exactly that pattern, with a low cross pulled beyond the near post.
Bench management: Extra-time substitutions gave Morocco fresh legs in midfield to clog the central channels and shepherd France out wide late on.
Goalkeeping contrast: France peppered the target, but Morocco’s keeper stood tall — a decisive edge once the shootout arrived.

Match stats (90’ + ET)

Stat	Morocco U20	France U20
Possession	45%	55%
Total shots	8	14
Shots on target	1	8
Corners	4	8
Saves	7	1
Yellow cards	1	1

Headline read: France generated more volume, but Morocco’s elite shot-stopping and penalty composure swung the tie.

Tactical snapshot

Morocco’s 4-2-3-1 without the ball slid into a narrow 4-4-2 block, inviting crosses rather than through-balls. The double pivot screened cut-backs, forcing France to chase back-post angles.
France’s press was aggressive from minute one; when Morocco escaped it, they attacked the half-spaces early, drawing fouls and relieving pressure.
Game state management from Morocco was textbook: slow the game after going ahead, then reset tempo after France’s equalizer to avoid a track meet.

Player notes

Yanis Benchaouch (Morocco): Commanded his six-yard box and saved the day repeatedly; momentum-proof in the shootout phase.
Lucas Michal (France): Constant back-post threat and tireless pressing; deserved his equalizer.
Fouad Zahouani & Ismaël Baouf (Morocco): Aerial presence under siege, clearing lane after lane of crosses.

What it means

Morocco advance to the U-20 World Cup final, a landmark achievement for an age group that has mirrored the senior team’s steel and resilience.
France exit with regret after carrying long stretches of play but failing to finish the job before penalties — a cruel end in a match they largely controlled territorially.