Morocco's under-20 football team defeated Mauritania 2-1 in the semifinals of the COTIF 2026 tournament on July 28, 2026, in L'Alcúdia, Spain. The victory sets up a final rematch between the two North African sides, scheduled for July 29, 2026.
The match saw Morocco take an early lead through a goal from forward Ayman El Hassouni in the 12th minute. Mauritania equalized just before halftime via a penalty converted by captain Mohamed Lemine. The winning goal came in the 67th minute from substitute Oussama Tazgha, who headed in a cross from the right flank.
COTIF (International Tournament of Football of L'Alcúdia) is an annual youth football competition held in Valencia, Spain. The 2026 edition features 10 teams, including clubs and national youth sides from Africa, Europe, and South America.
Morocco has a strong history in the tournament, having won the title in 2015 and 2019. Mauritania, meanwhile, reached the final for the first time in 2025, losing to Spain. The final on July 29 will be broadcast live on local Spanish television and streamed on the tournament's official YouTube channel.
