The excitement, unfortunately, came to an end. In its first U-20 World Cup final in 18 years, Argentina's national team fell to Morocco 2-0 and was unable to claim its seventh title in the youth tournament held in Chile.
The match began with very imprecise and rough play. In just 6 minutes, Morocco requested a green card review for a poor clearance by goalkeeper Barbi, who ended up colliding with Yassir Zabiri. Fortunately for the national team, the foul had occurred outside the box and the Moroccan player did not have possession of the ball, so the goalkeeper only received a yellow card and the African side was awarded a very dangerous free kick.
However, that luck did not last long, as Zabiri himself scored from the same set piece with a stunning goal into the top corner.
With the score against them, La Albiceleste became the clear dominant side in search of a goal to get back into the match, but did not manage to convert it into goals. In that context, and taking advantage of Argentina's high defensive line, the African team extended its lead in the 29th minute with another goal from Zabiri, who completed his brace.
Amid the desperation, Prestianni received a yellow card for a foul in attack on defender Othmane Maamma. Immediately afterward, Placente made the first substitution to try to turn the match around: Mateo Silvetti for Valentino Acuña.
Despite a few Argentine chances, such as Silvetti's shot that grazed the right post of goalkeeper Gomis, and a very clear opportunity for Morocco near the end that Juan Villalba barely cleared, the first half came to an end.
Already in the second half, the Argentine coach made more changes to the team, taking off Villalba and Tomás Pérez for Santiago Fernández and Tobías Andrada respectively.
In the opening minutes, the national team showed determination to turn the game around, but it was not enough against a Moroccan side that defended with several players, even requesting a green card review for a possible penalty; however, it was not awarded. Meanwhile, to refresh Argentina's attack, Placente made his fourth substitution: Ian Subiabre for Alejo Sarco.
Only in the 70th minute did Morocco receive its first yellow card: Maamma, for a hard foul on Prestianni. The resulting free kick was taken by Maher Carrizo, but it went well over the bar. Moments later, Maamma himself was substituted and, as he was leaving, there was a brief scuffle between Argentine and Moroccan players that ended with a yellow card for the recently introduced Subiabre. Just 60 seconds later, Carrizo was also booked for a foul in the opponent's box.
With 10 minutes remaining, Argentina made its last substitution after a yellow card for Milton Delgado: Teo Rodríguez for Dylan Gorosito. In the 82nd minute, the national coaching staff used its last green card review after a possible handball in the African box; however, once again, it was not awarded.
Despite all the pressure from the Argentine side, the Moroccan team managed to hold on to its initial lead, finishing the match 2-0 without suffering many dangerous shots from the national team.
With this title, Morocco adds its first star in the category and becomes the second African team to win the championship after Ghana's triumph in the 2009 edition. Meanwhile, for Argentina, this was the second time it finished as runner-up; the first was in 1983, when it lost to Brazil in the decisive match.
