SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Third goalkeeper Abdelhakim El Mesbahi made a crucial save after coming off the bench just before extra time as Morocco beat France 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday to reach its first U-20 World Cup final.
Morocco took the lead in the 32nd minute with an own goal from French goalkeeper Lysandre Olmeta, and midfielder Lucas Michel equalized in the 59th minute.
With the game tied 1-1 in regulation, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouabi sent El Mesbahi in for the penalty shootout just before extra time.
El Mesbahi had pictures of France’s players printed on water bottles and a small graphic showing where penalties were to be taken.
This strategy worked. El Mesbahi, who had not played in Morocco’s previous matches in this tournament, saved France’s final shot from Gillian Noguessan.
As a result, Morocco will now play in the championship match against either Argentina or Colombia.
Morocco’s starting goalkeeper Yanis Benshauch was injured during regulation time and was replaced by Ibrahim Gomis in the 64th minute. Gomis was replaced by El Masbahi at the end of extra time.
Morocco defeated Spain and Brazil to take first place in the group, then defeated South Korea and the United States to advance to the semi-finals.
The previous best result for an African country in this competition was fourth place in 2005.
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