International Newspapers Praise Morocco After 2-0 Victory Over Spain in Youth World Cup
The Moroccan U-20 national team achieved a historic victory over their Spanish counterparts, winning 2-0 on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in the first round of the third group stage of the Youth World Cup held in Chile. This victory gave Morocco their first three points in a tough group that also includes Brazil and Mexico, delivering a significant shock to the Spanish team, which previously won the tournament in 1999.
The Spanish newspaper Marca described the match with the headline “Spain Suffocates in Santiago,” noting that the two goals by Zabiri and Yassin in just four minutes upended the group’s calculations and demonstrated Morocco’s physical and technical preparedness. Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo stated that “La Rojita Falls to Morocco and Faces a Predicament,” emphasizing that the Spanish team will need positive results against Mexico and Brazil to secure advancement to the knockout stages.
On the other hand, Al-Quds Al-Arabi highlighted that this victory reflects the ongoing development of Moroccan football at the youth level, pointing out that it marks Morocco’s first win in the U-20 World Cup in 20 years, specifically since defeating Japan 1-0 in the Round of 16 during their previous participation. The newspaper also noted that the win is the first for Arab teams in the current edition, following Egypt’s loss to Japan.
The technical analysis of the match reveals that the Moroccan coaching staff focused on balancing defense and attack, which allowed the team to impose their control over the game. The tactical performance was precise, utilizing quick opportunities and collective movements that unsettled the Spanish defense. The players demonstrated strong synergy, reflecting their physical and mental readiness to compete at a high level.
Erem News described the victory as “Following the Footsteps of the Greats,” referring to the achievement of the senior national team that eliminated Spain in the Round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup through penalties, placing the Moroccan youth team in a powerful position ahead of upcoming matches. Additionally, Fil Goal noted that Morocco is making a return to the tournament after a twenty-year absence, reminding readers that their best achievement was finishing fourth in the 2005 edition, making the victory over Spain a promising starting point.
It seems that Morocco showcased its capability to compete for qualification to the next round on Sunday, presenting a balanced performance that combined defensive discipline with offensive presence, positioning the team well before their matches against Brazil and Mexico. This historic win was not just a result but a strong message to all participating teams that Morocco is a powerful contender in the tournament, capable of challenging and producing new surprises.
