North Africans Morocco will feature in the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 20 years after overcoming the United States of America in the quarterfinals played on Sunday.

Morocco’s fairytale campaign continued as they proved too strong for the USA in Rancagua, Chile, winning the match 3-1.

The last time Morocco reached the semis was in 2005, but then they missed 11 editions of the tournament before qualifying for the current edition in South America.

The USA dominated the opening half hour but was caught cold by a lightning Morocco counter. Saad El Haddad sped down the left and floated a ball to the back post for Othmane Maamma. That effort was saved, but his ingenious flick on the follow-up set up Fouad Zahouani to tap in.

USA pushed back and was handed a golden chance to level just before the break, when Nolan Norris was pulled down in the area by Ali Maamar. Cole Campbell stepped up and tucked the resulting spot-kick home to make it 1-1.

Zahouani then, quite literally, had a hand in his side’s second goal. His long throw caused chaos in the United States’ box, with Yassir Zabiri’s volley towards goal flying in off Joshua Wynder.

The game was made safe shortly before the end, with Gessime Yassine capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to fire home. The Atlas Cubs will take on France in Valparaiso on Wednesday, 15 October.

“We know very well that we can do damage to any team, because we’ve got quality players up front. And above all, what really makes the difference is that our defenders are very solid, and the attacking players also do the defensive work,” said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi.

“So they went out there and earned this qualification. They are in the process of writing their own story. This generation truly deserves it, because it’s an absolute pleasure to work with them.”

In the other semifinal, Argentina will meet fellow South Americans Colombia in the early hours of Thursday morning, 16 October.