Yassir Zabiri scored twice against Argentina
Santiago's Eternal Night: How the Atlas Cubs Wrote History and Danced Their Own Tango on the World's Throne
There are nights unlike any other. Nights where "impossible" seems like just a point of view, and the heaviest dreams feel as light as a butterfly's wing. The night of October 19, 2025, in the heart of the Chilean capital, Santiago, was one of those nights. On the green pitch of the Estadio Nacional, this wasn't just a football match; it was a new chapter being etched into the annals of glory, penned by young Moroccans with ink of pure gold.
This wasn't just any U-20 World Cup final. In the opposite corner stood the "Tango" of Argentina, the historic factory of stars, the record-holders for this very trophy. A team that came to reclaim its prestige, armed with talents sought by Europe's biggest clubs. And in the other corner, the "Atlas Cubs," a new golden generation, hailing from the land that delivered the great surprise of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. They came with a clear message: what happened in Qatar was no accident; it was the dawn of a new era.
The match began. Tension was the master of the situation. The Argentinians, as is their custom, tried to impose their rhythm from the first minute. High pressure, quick passes, and relentless attempts to breach the Moroccan fortress. But these young Moroccans, who had overcome France in a marathon semi-final, were prepared. They hadn't traveled to Santiago to be mere guests of honor at the "Albiceleste's" coronation.
The minutes ticked by. The Moroccan team, with a maturity that defied their age, absorbed the Argentine enthusiasm with the calm of the confident. The defense was organized like a perfect chessboard, and the midfield fought for every single ball. Then, in an instant, before the Argentinians could even comprehend what was happening, the first strike came.
A direct free kick from a position that looked ideal. Behind the ball stood a young man named Yassir Zabiri. His eyes were fixed on the goal, the breath of millions held in suspense. He took his steps and unleashed a curving, magical, swirling shot... a ball that soared past the human wall and embraced the net in a corner so impossible, the Argentine goalkeeper was left a mere spectator.
"GOOOOOAL!"... The stadium erupted. The first goal for Morocco.
This was not just a goal; it was a declaration of intent. A shockwave hit the Argentine camp. They tried to respond quickly, desperately, but they collided with a solid defensive wall and a team playing as one single, unbreakable unit. And just as the first half was breathing its last, with Argentina throwing bodies forward in search of an equalizer, the knockout blow arrived.
It was a textbook counter-attack. It began deep in their own half with a clever interception, and then, the Moroccan attacking machine launched. A series of rapid passes moved the ball to the right flank, where the other star of the tournament, Othmane Maamma, was wreaking havoc. Maamma advanced, lifted his head, and sent in a cross measured "to the millimeter" for the man arriving like a phantom from behind... Yassir Zabiri again!
He didn't hesitate. With a single, clinical touch, he diverted the ball past the helpless keeper and into the net, announcing the second goal. A brace. Two goals in the first half of a World Cup final, against Argentina, from the boot of the same player. It was a script that not even the most optimistic director would have dared to write.
The first half ended with a deserved 2-0 Moroccan lead. In the dressing rooms, the talk was of resilience, of protecting the dream. In the opposite room, there was only frustration and anger.
The second half began, and just as everyone expected, the match transformed into a siege. Argentina threw everything they had forward. Substitutions were made, positions were changed, and the play became entirely one-way traffic: all aimed at the Moroccan goal. But what the "Tango" hadn't calculated for was that they weren't facing 11 players; they were facing the hearts of 40 million Moroccans.
The Moroccan defense was an epic in itself. Every single player fought with a lion's ferocity. Last-ditch tackles, timely clearances, and flawless coverage. The Moroccan goalkeeper emerged as a giant, repelling every cross, every shot, every attempt. The "Cubs" had truly transformed into "Lions," defending their den with every ounce of strength they possessed.
Then came the moment that stopped time. An Argentine cross, chaos in the penalty area, and a forward went down. The referee stopped play... "VAR." A terrible, agonizing silence fell over the stadium. Was this it? A penalty to bring Argentina back into the game? The minutes felt like an eternity. The referee walked to the monitor... he watched... he returned... and he signaled to play on! No penalty. The replay showed the ball had struck the defender's face, not his hand.
That moment was the final nail in the coffin of Argentine hopes. They felt it. The world felt it. This day was not their day. The heavens had decided that this night would be Moroccan.
The final minutes were long, agonizingly long. The Moroccan players were glancing at the clock, their legs heavy but their spirits unbreakable. The fans in the stands, a sea of red and green, never stopped singing.
And finally, the referee raised his whistle to his lips. The final whistle.
In that singular instant, a tidal wave of emotion washed over the pitch. Players collapsed to the ground, tears of pure joy streaming down their faces. Others prostrated in Sajdah (prostration of gratitude to God). The coaching staff and substitutes sprinted onto the field, embracing anyone they could find. On the podium, the Moroccan flag was being raised, flying high and proud.
Morocco is the Under-20 World Champion!
This is not just a victory. It is historic by every measure of the word. It is Morocco's first-ever world title in this prestigious category and only the third for an African nation in the tournament's history. It is a resounding victory over a legendary footballing school, not in a group stage match, but in the final.
Yassir Zabiri, a graduate of the famed Mohammed VI Academy and the undisputed man of the match, didn't just score two goals; he carved his name into the eternal history of Moroccan football. He and his teammates, this exceptional generation, proved that the hard work and structural planning that began with the Qatar semi-final saga is bearing glorious fruit.
In the streets of Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez, and Tangier... and in every city, town, and remote village of Morocco, the celebrations erupted. The zaghareet (ululations) of women echoed through the night, blending with the sound of car horns and chants. The Kingdom lived a leila bayda (a white night, a sleepless night of celebration), rejoicing for these young heroes who had raised their country's name to the heavens.
This wasn't just a golden cup; it was a message of hope for an entire generation. A message that states, unequivocally: "The impossible is not Moroccan." A message that confirms Morocco has become a formidable, undeniable force in the global football equation, at the senior level... and now, at the youth level.
The night in Santiago has ended, but a brilliant new dawn has just risen for Moroccan football. The dawn of a generation that knows no fear, believes only in hard work, and will settle for nothing less than the very summit. The Atlas Cubs danced the Tango in their own special way and announced to the entire world: We are the champions.