By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Morocco continued their dream run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a 2–1 win over South Korea, sealing their first-ever place in the quarter-finals after a composed and confident performance in San Juan.
The match opened with chances at both ends. Morocco should have taken the lead inside five minutes when Zakaria Ouazane broke through one-on-one but dragged his shot wide of the post.
South Korea nearly punished them almost immediately. A slick move saw Lee Ji-han round goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil, only to see his goal-bound effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Ismael Baouf in a critical early intervention.
The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute — albeit in unusual fashion. Morocco launched an attack down the right, and as a cross came into the box, a Moroccan forward attempted an ambitious overhead kick. The effort missed, but the ball struck Korean defender Park Hyun-bin awkwardly and bounced off him into the net — an unfortunate own goal that gave Morocco a 1–0 lead.
Morocco doubled their advantage in the second half with a moment of real attacking class. Othmane Maamma, who plays for English club Watford, curled in an inch-perfect cross from the left, and Yassir Zabiri met it with a beautifully timed header, guiding the ball into the far corner to make it 2–0.
South Korea fought hard and were awarded a late lifeline deep into stoppage time. A cross into the box struck the arm of a Moroccan defender, and after a VAR review, referee Andrés Matonte awarded a penalty. Captain Lee Seung-won converted coolly in the 96th minute, but there was no time left to mount a comeback.
Morocco held on to claim a famous victory and continue their impressive showing in Argentina.
🗣 Ouahbi: “They kept their heads and wrote a new chapter”
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi praised the maturity and composure of his side:
“We started fast, we stayed calm under pressure, and we finished the job. These boys kept their heads and wrote a new chapter in Moroccan football history.”
The Atlas Cubs will face Colombia in the quarter-finals as they continue to turn heads with their blend of discipline, quality, and belief.
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