Morocco’s Atlas Cubs earned their spot in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final for the first time, thanks to substitute goalie Abdelhakim Mesbahi.
They advanced to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ final, winning 5-4 on penalties against France after a 1-1 game, and will face Argentina in the final on Sunday.
The Atlas Cubs advanced to their first FIFA U-20 World Cup™ final after Morocco’s goalkeeper Abdelhakim Mesbahi became the unlikely hero in a sudden-death shootout against France.
Having subbed a keeper in the match, the African team replaced Yanis Benchaouch with Ibrahim Gomis, and then brought on Mesbahi before the shootout. Mesbahi’s save of Djylian Nguessan’s shot in sudden death propelled Morocco into the Sunday match.
In the 13th minute, the match came alive, with Mamma’s shot going over and Benamaa’s shot being saved by Benchaouch.
After Andrea Le Borgne of France pulled Ismael Baouf’s shirt, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. Yassir Zabiri scored from the spot after his shot went in off the post and Olmeta.
It looked like the Atlas Cubs were set to score, but Zahouani missed an easy shot in the 40th minute. Though France didn’t panic, Ilane Toure’s shot was blocked by Benchaouch as the half ended. 
Bernard Diomede, the coach of Les Bleuets, made substitutions during the break, which quickly proved successful as Moustapha Dabo, a substitute, set up Lucas Michal, who scored his fifth goal, making him the joint-top scorer. The two teams were still tied, and the game went into extra time, where Rabby Nzingoula, who entered the match in the 87th minute for the French side, received a red card for getting two yellow cards.
Morocco’s substitution of Mesbahi for the penalty shootout proved to be the right choice, allowing them to be the first African team in the global final since Ghana in 2009.