Yassir Zabiri was the hero at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos in Chile, as his first-half brace inspired the Atlas Cubs to glory against the six-time world champions widely tipped as favourites.
The result saw Mohamed Ouahbi’s side become only the second African nation to win the competition after Ghana’s triumph in 2009.
Heading into the final, Argentina boasted a perfect record, winning all six matches while scoring 15 goals and conceding only twice. Meanwhile, the North Africans had impressed with resilience, scoring 10 times and conceding five en route to the final.
The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides showing attacking intent. The Africans struck first in the 12th minute when Zabiri broke free on goal and was brought down by Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi.
After a VAR review, Barbi received only a yellow card, but from the resulting free-kick, Zabiri curled a spectacular effort into the top corner to give his team a deserved lead.
Argentina tried to respond immediately, but their opponents’ solid defending frustrated Diego Placente’s side. And just before the half-hour mark, the Atlas Cubs doubled their advantage.
Ismael Baouf regained possession brilliantly and released Othmane Maamma, whose pinpoint cross was drilled home Zabiri for his second goal of the game.
The South Americans pressed hard, with Mateo Silvetti and Gianluca Prestianni both going close before the break, but it counted for nothing. After the restart, Zabiri almost completed his hat-trick with a curling strike that narrowly missed the target, while Argentina substitute Ian Subiabre fired over from close range at the other end.
Despite dominating possession in the closing stages, the Argentines were unable to get past impressive goalkeeper Ibrahim Gomis.
Before the presentation of medals, Argentina’s Barbi was named as Best Goalkeeper, while the United States walked home with the Fair play trophy. Morocco and Watford starlet Maamma was named as the tournament’s best player.
