The Atlas Cubs of Morocco eliminated 10-man France 5-4, on post-match penalties to qualify for their maiden FIFA U-20 World Cup final following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Wednesday night.
Morocco looked on the brighter side of the first semi-final staged at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso in Chile, taking the lead in the 32nd minute following an own goal from the French shot-stopper Lisandru Olmeta after Yassir Zabiri hit the woodwork from a VAR review spot kick.
Les Bleuets of France resumed the 2nd stanza, piling more pressure on counterattacks, and needed only 13 to draw level after Moustapha Dabo played a neat pass in the Moroccan box which found Lucas Michal unmarked, and beat the goalkeeper.
Afterwards it was a cagey affair for both sides, with Morocco unable to maximise their numerical advantage following France’s Rabby Nzingoula sent off for a 2nd bookable offence, forcing the European side to play 13 minutes of the extra time with 10 men.
The two teams were inseparable after 120 minutes, and they had to be decided via spot-kicks.
Each side converted 4 penalties and missed 1 apiece, forcing the match decider to be determined on sudden death.
Naim Byar scored his 6th spot kick for Morocco as their goalkeeper Abdelhakim Mesbahi, who stepped in a few seconds before the full-time whistle, saved Djylian Nguessan’s penalty to hand Morocco a place in the final.
Morocco became the first African team to reach the final of the global showpiece since Ghana in 2009.
