Brussels: “Sensational U20 World Cup: Morocco qualifies for the final at France’s expense,” writes Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad, noting that the Atlas Lion cubs’ coach fielded three goalkeepers in the semifinal against Les Bleuets, a decision that had a profound impact on the game. The paper compares this tactic to Louis van Gaal’s memorable substitution during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which helped the Netherlands reach the semifinals.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Belgian publication ‘Nieusblad’ praises the genius of Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi, former youth coach and assistant at Anderlecht, who replaced his goalkeepers twice, seeing it as both a wise choice and a bold gamble. This decision highlights the importance of analysis in high-level competitions, it notes, adding that beyond the talent of the Atlas Lion cubs, qualifying for the final is testament to the rise of Moroccan football.

The Dutch-language Belgian daily paper Het Laatste Nieuws claims that the use of three goalkeepers in a single match completely changed the game and was a masterstroke by the Moroccan national coach. The Dutch magazine ‘Voetbal International’ stresses that the Moroccan goalkeepers were the real stars of the game, while acknowledging that the coach’s choice paid off and enabled Morocco to reach the World Cup final.

Morocco qualified for the U20 World Cup final, the first in its history, after a hard-fought and suspenseful match, according to the Belgian news site ‘7sur7.be.’ ‘A cruel scenario for Les Bleuets, divine for the young Moroccans,’ it emphasizes in an article entitled ‘Three goalkeepers for a feat: Morocco knocks France out and reaches the U20 World Cup final thanks to a stroke of genius from its coach.’