'The secret of three goalkeepers' helps Morocco achieve a historic feat at the U20 World Cup

U20 Morocco caused an uproar at the U20 World Cup by making it to the final for the first time, having utilized all three goalkeepers and beating U20 France in a tense penalty shootout.

U20 Morocco made history at the 2025 U20 World Cup by overcoming U20 France 5-4 on penalties to secure their spot in the final. Remarkably, the African team deployed three different goalkeepers during the match, with the last, Abdelhakim El Mesbahi, becoming the hero.

The semifinal was full of drama. U20 Morocco took an early lead in the 32nd minute thanks to an own goal by U20 France’s goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta. However, midfielder Lucas Michal equalized for Les Bleuets in the 59th minute. The score remained 1-1 through extra time, forcing a decisive penalty shootout.

Notably, Morocco’s first-choice goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch was injured during regular time and had to leave the field in the 64th minute, replaced by Ibrahim Gomis. The biggest surprise came in the final moments of extra time when coach Mohamed Ouahbi brought on the third goalkeeper, Abdelhakim El Mesbahi, solely for the penalty shootout—an unprecedented bold move in the tournament.

El Mesbahi, who had not played a single minute before, stepped into goal carrying a water bottle printed with the preferred shooting side of the French players. This tactic paid off perfectly as he saved the decisive penalty from Djylian Nguessan, sending U20 Morocco to their first-ever U20 World Cup final.

"We stayed focused and calm, waiting for the right moment. Now we are enjoying this moment as Morocco reaches the final. This is a historic milestone, but our goal is to win the championship," Coach Ouahbi emotionally shared.

Before defeating U20 France, U20 Morocco had already impressed by topping a group that included Spain and Brazil, then overcoming South Korea and the USA to reach the semifinals.

Will the daring strategy of using three different goalkeepers help U20 Morocco create another miracle in the upcoming final against U20 Argentina on the morning of October 20?