Morocco had 26 percent of possession and only 7 shots, but scored three goals to beat USA in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup quarterfinal in Rancagua, Chile. They’ll play France in the semis.
Fans are getting used to Morocco’s “surprising” success. They reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and now made the U-20 semis.
The larger US team, led by Ben Cremaschi who plays in Italian Serie A for Parma, couldn’t convert on their domination of possession, including multiple corner-kicks in a row.
Morocco was opportunistic on all three goals. After relentless US pressure, Morocco went on the counter-attack. Othmane Maamma got his own rebound and flicked the ball over his head to Fouad Zahouani, who found the empty net to take a 1-0 lead.
USA forward Cole Campbell tied the game on a penalty kick and survived an avalanche of teammates.
Morocco capitalized on sloppy US defending in the second half. Yassir Zabiri scored at close range after USA failed to clear a long throw-in by Zahouani.
Gessime Yassine, who pestered US defenders all game, scored after miscommunication between the US keeper and defenders.
After chippy play, the game ended with a kerfuffle on the pitch.
“It was our mentality and the love of the people that made us play such a great game tonight,” said Maamma after the match. “I think we’ve made the whole of Morocco proud. Now, we need to focus on the semi-final.”
“We put in a great performance against a very strong team. We respected them a lot but we weren’t afraid, we knew that if we played our game and defended well, we would have a chance,” said coach Mohamed Ouahbi after the game. “We are a team that knows how to defend, that knows how to suffer. We have players who are fighting for their country at such a young age, which is impressive.”
“They know very well that they are not alone,” added coach Ouahbi. “They are supported and encouraged by an entire nation, by a King, and that gives them wings. God willing, we will continue.”
words and images Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved
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