Morocco Set FIFA U-17 World Cup Record with 16–0 Rout of New Caledonia

Morocco Set FIFA U-17 World Cup Record with 16–0 Rout of New Caledonia

By BSN Sports 

Morocco’s U-17 national team made history on Sunday, recording the largest victory in FIFA U-17 World Cup history with a 16–0 demolition of New Caledonia in their final group-stage match in Doha, Qatar, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The encounter, played at the Aspire Academy Pitch 1, saw the Young Atlas Lions deliver a breathtaking attacking display that not only shattered records but also kept alive their hopes of reaching the tournament’s knockout stage.

Morocco began the onslaught early, with Bilal Soukrat opening the scoring in the third minute, before Oualid Ibn Salah struck twice in the 11th and 18th minutes to make it 3–0.

New Caledonia’s woes deepened when two players were sent off, leaving them to finish with nine men. Morocco’s coach, Abdelhamid Baha, made use of FIFA’s newly introduced green card review system to challenge one of the dismissals, but the referee upheld the red card decision after a video review.

Taking full advantage, Morocco poured forward relentlessly. Abdelali Eddaoudi netted twice in quick succession (41′, 43′), Ilyas Hidaoui added a goal (44′), and Ziyad Baha struck in stoppage time to send the North Africans into the break with a 7–0 lead.

The floodgates remained open in the second half as Zakari El Khalfioui (48′) and Ziyad Baha (50′) extended the scoreline, before Nahel Haddani added a brace (56′, 60′). Further goals from Abdellah Ouazane (73′), an own goal by Steevy Andrew (76′), and a late double from Ismail El Aoud (80′, 90′) sealed the record-breaking victory.

Morocco dominated every statistical category, finishing with 73% possession, 25 total shots, and zero shots conceded.

Despite the emphatic win, Morocco’s qualification for the Round of 16 remains uncertain. They conclude the group stage with three points and a +8 goal difference, awaiting results from Groups C and D to determine whether they advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Regardless of the final standings, Morocco’s commanding 16–0 triumph stands as one of the most extraordinary results in the tournament’s history.