Morocco U20 — France U20 : Match Preview and Prediction for October 15,2025

Morocco U20’s Sensational Journey

Morocco was not even considered a contender to advance from their group, yet they created a sensation, first defeating Spain (2-0) in the opening round, and then Brazil (2-1). This guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs. In the third match, of course, they suffered a 0-1 loss to Mexico, but they fielded a semi-reserve squad as their progression was already secured.

Strategic Wins and Defensive Prowess

Wahbi’s squad was, to some extent, fortunate with their Round of 16 opponent, South Korea (2-1). They faced virtually no difficulties there, despite the minimal score difference. However, the quarter-finals presented a monumental challenge against the USA (3-1), a team that had previously crushed France (3-0) in the group stage. The Moroccans embraced a defensive style of football combined with swift counter-attacks, a strategy they executed perfectly, even as the Americans dominated possession with 73%.

Morocco’s Surprising Scoring Ability

Even with a less aggressive, defense-oriented approach, Morocco has impressively found the back of the net nine times in their five matches.

France U20’s Uneven Path to Playoffs

France’s qualification for the playoffs was not particularly convincing. They started with a hard-fought victory over South Africa (2-1), followed by a devastating 0-3 defeat against the USA, where they failed to register a single shot on target for the entire 90 minutes! Subsequently, they faced the modest New Caledonia (6-0), a match where, as expected, they encountered no difficulties.

Navigating Knockout Rounds

Diomede’s team was considered a slight underdog in their Round of 16 clash against Japan (1-0). The game largely unfolded with the Japanese holding the advantage. However, the French managed to hold on during regular time and netted the winning goal in extra time. In the quarter-finals, they faced a formidable Norway (2-1). Thanks to two first-half goals, France secured their progression. While the Norwegians did seize the initiative after falling 0-2 and managed to score once, it wasn’t enough to level the score.

France’s Offensive Capabilities

The nominal visitors also showcase a strong attacking lineup, having scored 11 goals in five matches. It’s crucial to acknowledge, however, that six of these goals came against New Caledonia.