By OkayGoal 
Morocco made history by becoming the third African country to ever reach the final of the FIFA U20 World Cup after their penalty shootout victory over France on Wednesday.
The Atlas Cubs join Ghana and Nigeria as teams from the continent to achieve such historic feat.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Black Satellites remain the only team from Africa to ever win the U20 World Cup after beating Brazil in the final in Egypt in 2009. Morocco could become the second team from Africa to win the U20 World Cup if they beat Argentina in the final on Sunday.
In a cagey encounter in Chile in the first semi-final of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, it was the Moroccans who opened the scoring from the spot after Yassir Zabiri’s spot-kick was deflected into the net by France’s goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta.
The Africans could have doubled their advantage just before half time but Fouad Zahouani fired wide to hand the European heavyweights a sigh of relief.
However, after the break France levelled through the tournament’s top scorer Lucas Michal who rolled home a Moustapha Dabo assist.
Morocco twice substitute their goalkeeper in extra time with Abdelhakim Mesbahi becoming the hero of the day, saving Djylian Nguessan’s penalty in the shootout.
The Atlas Cubs also became the first African team to reach the final of the U20 World Cup since Ghana in 2009.