In an extraordinary semi-final against France at the U20 World Cup in Chile, Morocco made history by using all three of its goalkeepers, Yanis Benchaouch, Ibrahim Gomis, and Abdelhakim El Mesbahi, in one match. Who are these three Atlas Cubs who have captured the attention of Moroccan and international fans alike? During its semi-final clash against France at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday, Morocco used all three of its goalkeepers in an extraordinary turn of events. The starting keeper, Yanis Benchaouch, was forced off in the second half after sustaining an injury. He was replaced by Ibrahim Gomis, who held his ground through the remainder of regular and extra time as France pushed for a late winner. Then, in a bold tactical move before the penalty shootout, coach Mohamed Ouahbi brought on Abdelhakim El Mesbahi, the team's third-choice goalkeeper, specifically for the decisive moment. The gamble paid off. El Mesbahi became Morocco's unexpected hero, saving the final penalty from France's Djylian N'Guessan to seal a 5–4 shootout victory and send Morocco to its first-ever U20 World Cup final. Who are these three young goalkeepers who have drawn widespread praise after their standout performances? Yanis Benchaouch, the U20 team's pillar Yanis Benchaouch has stood out for his excellent performances throughout this U20 World Cup. The 19-year-old goalkeeper, born in Périgueux (southeastern France), currently plays for AS Monaco's Under 21. Yanis began his football journey at US Chancelade at the age of five, then moved to COCC Chamiers before joining Trélissac FC, a club he credits as instrumental in his development. His potential caught the attention of AS Monaco, which he joined in 2021. Initially part of the U17s, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning a starting role with the U19 team and winning the 2022–2023 Coupe Gambardella with the U18 squad. Of Moroccan and Algerian descent, he chose to represent Morocco internationally. Benchaouch earned his first call-up to Morocco's U20 team in March 2024 under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, debuting in a 1–0 victory over the United States. Later that year, he helped Morocco reach the final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming one of the team's key players for the ongoing 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile. Ibrahim Gomis, the rising star After his injury in the 64th minute of yesterday's match against France, Yanis Benchaouch was replaced by Ibrahim Gomis, a revelation for Atlas Cubs fans. The 20-year-old, born in Perpignan (France) to a Moroccan mother and Senegalese father, currently plays for Olympique de Marseille B. Gomis began his football journey at CS Amphion-Publier before joining Thonon Evian Grand Genève FC in Haute-Savoie, where he quickly made a name for himself as a promising young goalkeeper. In 2021, he joined Dijon FCO's academy after convincing the club's technical staff during a trial period. Following two seasons of development, he later moved to Olympique de Marseille's academy, where he continued to progress. On January 12, 2024, Gomis made his senior debut for Marseille's reserve team (OM B). The following season (2025–2026), he was listed as a reserve goalkeeper for Marseille's first team, even appearing on the squad sheet for UEFA Champions League fixtures. Internationally, Gomis chose to represent Morocco, earning his first call-up to the U20 national team in March 2025. He began his international career with a 2–0 friendly win over Sierra Leone and was part of the Moroccan side that finished runners-up at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. Later that year, he was called up again for the U20 World Cup in Chile, serving as the team's second-choice goalkeeper behind Yanis Benchaouch. The U20 World Cup semi-final surprise Abdelhakim (Hakim) El Mesbahi became the star of yesterday's match after saving the decisive penalty that sealed Morocco's victory. Born in 2005, in Casablanca, the goalkeeper currently plays for AS FAR Rabat. A product of the club's youth academy, he was called up to AS FAR's first team in February 2025, in the Coupe d'Excellence against Olympique Dcheira. Internationally, he earned his first call-up to Morocco's U20 national team in May 2023, debuting in a double friendly against Burkina Faso. He was part of the Moroccan squad that reached the final of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runners-up. Later that year, he was selected for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, serving as third-choice goalkeeper behind Yanis Benchaouch and Ibrahim Gomis. With such an impressive performance, spirits are high ahead of the final, where the Atlas Cubs are expected to face Argentina on Sunday evening at Santiago's National Stadium (midnight Moroccan time).
