Morocco Beat France 5-3 to Win U21 Futsal Cup in Croatia

Morocco’s U21 team dominated their French counterparts in a hard-fought final in Vrsar, Croatia. The Moroccans took the lead in the 5th minute through Oussama El Bouich, who doubled the score in the 17th. Ismaël Megrous pulled one back for France just before halftime (2-1), reports the French Football Federation.

After the break, Badr Ahib made it 3-1 in the 24th minute. Eliott Kolski immediately replied for France (3-2), but the Atlas Cubs restored their cushion with two more goals in the 33rd and 34th minutes. France scored once more in the final minute, but could not prevent Morocco from lifting the trophy.

Three wins and several individual awards

Before the final, the young Moroccans had beaten Greenland (4-2), then thrashed San Marino (7-0). They thus finished the six-team international tournament unbeaten, ahead of France and San Marino.

Morocco also took home several awards. According to specialist website FutsalPlanet, Lahcen Aït Hemmou was named the tournament’s best player, while Aymane Laghrissi received the best goalkeeper award. The Moroccan team also won the fair play trophy.

For France, coach Arnaud Vaucelle acknowledged Morocco’s superiority at decisive moments. “We didn’t manage to find the tools to turn it in our favor,” he told the FFF after a match in which his team was constantly chasing the score.