2025 U20 World Cup: Morocco advance to quarter-finals with thrilling 2-1 victory against South Korea

Morocco put up a top performance on Thursday night, securing a delightful 2-1 victory over South Korea to advance to the quarter-final of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.

With South Africa and Nigeria both eliminated in the Round of 16, Morocco stood as Africa’s last representative at the tournament, and they rose to the occasion at the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua.

The Young Atlas Lions got off to a bright start, taking the lead just eight minutes in when South Korea’s Shin Min-Ha inadvertently put the ball into his own net.

Yassir Zabiri then extended Morocco’s lead 13 minutes into the second half, giving Mohamed Ouahbi’s side a firm grip on the match.

Although Kim Tae-won converted a late penalty deep into stoppage time, it wasn’t enough to deny Morocco a well-deserved victory.

With this win, the North Africans booked their place in the last eight and will next face the United States at the same venue on Sunday.

The hopes of Africa now rest on the shoulders of the Moroccans as they continue to excel in the ongoing tournament in Chile.