Major Argentine newspapers acknowledged the tactical and mental superiority of the Moroccan team, while also commending the encouraging performance of Diego Placente’s squad, who reached a World Cup final for the first time in eighteen years.
“The youngsters of Placente bowed out after showing great moments of football,” wrote Clarin, highlighting a first half dominated “by Morocco’s speed, power, and determination.” The newspaper praised the precision of double-scorer Yassir Zbiri and the discipline of a group “capable of controlling the match tempo without faltering.” “Morocco was a true African tornado that overwhelmed Argentina in the first half,” it added, describing “a victory built on intensity, organization, and composure.”
La Nacion, Argentina’s leading print daily, focused on “a painful defeat, but one full of lessons,” emphasizing the “promising future” of a young Argentine side in transition. “Argentina seemed to underestimate the opponent’s strength,” the paper admitted, recognizing that Morocco “struck early, paving the way to victory in the first half.” Yet, the tone remained respectful: “Morocco played smart, strong, and exploited every defensive gap.”
In a more direct tone, Ambito praised Morocco’s tactical mastery: “Morocco quickly took the lead and held it until the end, despite Argentina’s possession.” The business daily described the win as a “historic success for African football,” underlining the solid defensive structure of the Atlas Lion Cubs, “able to defend their lead calmly and efficiently within the first thirty minutes.” The article also noted that this triumph “marks the first-ever U20 World Cup title for Morocco, an exceptional feat for an African team.”
For its part, Pagina 12 adopted an analytical and admiring tone, titling its piece “It Was Maamma’s Day.” Columnist Juan José Panno focused on Moroccan prodigy Othmane Maamma, “a red arrow on Argentina’s flank,” who “drove the defense to despair.” The newspaper praised a “disciplined and focused team with strong set-piece execution,” concluding, “Congratulations to the champions, and respect to the finalists. Placente’s boys were beaten by a team that simply played better.”
Finally, sports daily Olé summed up the general sentiment in Argentina: “This trophy was well earned.” While lamenting the “fatal 29 minutes” that sealed Argentina’s fate, the newspaper hailed Morocco as “a worthy champion,” emphasizing that the final “proves that long-term planning yields more success than sporadic changes.” “Morocco kept Argentina at bay for sixty-nine minutes, with speed, dynamism, and composure,” wrote Olé, calling the victory “the triumph of an idea, a model, and an exemplary system of development.”
Beyond the sporting loss, Argentine media unanimously recognized the emergence of a Moroccan model built on patience, discipline, and investment in youth. From Clarin to Pagina 12, all outlets applauded the success of a “structured, ambitious, and excellence-driven” project, long nurtured by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Editorial team/le7tv