Featured FIFA World Cup U17

Morocco Defeats USA 4-3 on Penalties After 1-1 Stalemate

Mario Casamalhuapa
5 min read
Fifteen-year-old Cavan SULLIVAN, the youngest player in MLS history, provided a brilliant assist for Jude TERRY's 21st-minute opener that appeared destined to send USA through until Morocco's last-gasp heroics forced penalties Morocco scored a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer through substitute Abdellah OUAZANE before defeating USA 4-3 on penalties at the U-17 World Cup, crushing American hopes after they had led for 69 minutes at Aspire Zone - Pitch 7 USA's heartbreak was complete when Maxi CARRIZO's penalty was saved in the shootout after Morocco converted all four attempts (Ziyad BAHA, Ismail EL AOUD, Wassim DARDAKE, Ilyas HIDAOUI) while Cooper SANCHEZ also missed for the Americans
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DOHA, Qatar – In one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Morocco broke American hearts with a 90th-minute equalizer before prevailing 4-3 in a penalty shootout Thursday at Aspire Zone - Pitch 7. Abdellah OUAZANE's last-gasp heroics forced extra penalties after the United States had controlled the match for nearly 70 minutes following Jude TERRY's 21st-minute opener.

For USA's young stars, particularly 15-year-old Cavan SULLIVAN—the youngest player in MLS history—the defeat represented the cruelest form of elimination. They had executed their game plan brilliantly, defended resolutely, and appeared destined for the Round of 16 until OUAZANE's dramatic intervention in regulation's final moments shattered their dreams and sent the contest to the lottery of spot kicks.

The opening exchanges suggested a cagey affair, with both sides feeling each other out and reluctant to commit too many players forward. Morocco enjoyed early territorial advantage, earning corners and testing the American backline, but clear-cut chances remained elusive. The Atlas Cubs' technical quality was evident, yet they lacked the final precision to truly threaten.

Everything changed in the 21st minute when SULLIVAN, displaying maturity far beyond his tender years, orchestrated the breakthrough. The Philadelphia Union prodigy delivered a perfectly weighted assist to TERRY, who made no mistake with the finish. The goal rewarded USA's patient buildup play and gave them the platform to showcase their defensive organization against Morocco's attacking talents.

The remainder of the first half saw Morocco desperately searching for a response. Zakari EL KHALFIOUI orchestrated much of their creative play, delivering dangerous corners and probing for weaknesses in the American defensive structure. Yet USA's backline stood firm, limiting Morocco to speculative efforts that rarely troubled the goalkeeper. The Americans reached halftime with their one-goal advantage intact and confidence growing.

Morocco emerged from the interval with renewed urgency, knowing that time was becoming their enemy. Coach Hicham HILALI made crucial substitutions in the 65th minute, introducing Abdellah OUAZANE and Ismail EL AOUD in a double change designed to inject fresh energy into their attack. The tactical adjustment would prove decisive, though it took 25 minutes to bear fruit.

The second half became an exercise in American defensive resilience. Morocco dominated possession and territorial play, registering 10 total attempts to USA's eight, yet couldn't find the breakthrough. Video assistant referee reviews at the 71st minute heightened tension, but the score remained 1-0 as regulation time ticked away.

USA appeared to have weathered the storm. Coach Mike Calvillo made late substitutions—bringing on Chase ADAMS, Luca MOISA, and Maxi CARRIZO—to see out the match and secure progression. With just seconds remaining, American celebrations seemed imminent. Then came OUAZANE's moment of magic.

In the 90th minute, with USA players already mentally preparing for the Round of 16, OUAZANE received Hamza BOUHADDI's clever pass and struck decisively. The ball found the net, sparking wild Moroccan celebrations and devastating American despair. The timing couldn't have been crueler for the United States—leading for 69 minutes only to concede at the absolute death.

The psychological impact of such a late equalizer cannot be overstated. USA had to regroup mentally for penalties after experiencing the emotional whiplash of apparent victory snatched away in regulation's dying seconds. Morocco, conversely, rode a wave of momentum and belief into the shootout.

The penalty lottery began with Ziyad BAHA converting confidently for Morocco. SULLIVAN showed remarkable composure to level at 1-1, but Cooper SANCHEZ's saved penalty gave Morocco the initiative. Ismail EL AOUD and Wassim DARDAKE both converted to put pressure on the Americans. ADAMS responded for USA, but when Ahmed MOUHOUB's penalty was saved, hope flickered briefly for the United States.

Mathis ALBERT kept USA alive with his successful conversion, making it 3-3. But Ilyas HIDAOUI stepped up for Morocco and converted with authority, leaving everything on Maxi CARRIZO's shoulders. The pressure proved too great—Morocco's goalkeeper made the crucial save, sending the Atlas Cubs through and the Americans home.

The statistics revealed a closely contested match: Morocco's 10 attempts to USA's eight, with the Americans actually registering more shots on target (5-3). Morocco earned five corners to USA's four, while committing nine fouls to the Americans' six. The numbers suggested fine margins, yet in knockout football, only results matter.

For USA, the tournament ends in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable. SULLIVAN's brilliant assist and TERRY's well-taken goal deserved better than this outcome. The experience will undoubtedly strengthen these young players, but the immediate pain of leading for so long only to fall short will linger.

Morocco's never-say-die attitude epitomizes the spirit that has carried them through the tournament. OUAZANE's dramatic equalizer and the team's composure in the shootout demonstrate mental fortitude beyond their years. The Atlas Cubs now advance to face another stern test in the Round of 16.

This match will be remembered as one of the tournament's defining moments—a testament to football's capacity for drama and the fine margins that separate triumph from heartbreak at U-17 World Cup level. Morocco now plays Mali.


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