Morocco’s impressive FIFA World Cup campaign has produced another historic milestone after Gessime Yassine became the youngest player to score for the Atlas Lions at the tournament.
The 20-year-old winger found the net in Morocco’s 4-2 victory over Haiti in their final Group C match, capping a memorable night that also secured the North African side’s place in the Round of 32.
Yassine, who came off the bench in the second half, scored Morocco’s fourth goal in the 89th minute after being set up by Soufiane Rahimi. His strike ensured the Atlas Lions completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign and finished second in Group C with seven points following earlier results against Brazil and Scotland.
Beyond helping Morocco advance to the knockout stage, the goal also secured the young forward a place in the country’s football history.
At 20 years and 213 days old, Yassine became the youngest Moroccan player ever to score in the finals of a FIFA World Cup, surpassing the previous record held by Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored against Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The achievement marked another important step in the rapid rise of one of Morocco’s brightest young talents.
Speaking after reaching the landmark, Yassine summed up the moment simply.
“It’s a dream come true.”
The goal against Haiti came in a thrilling encounter in which Morocco twice fought back from behind before eventually winning 4-2.
The victory extended the Atlas Lions’ unbeaten run in the tournament after they had opened with a 1-1 draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland 1-0.
Those results gave Morocco seven points from three matches, enough to secure second place in Group C and a place in the knockout rounds as they continue another encouraging World Cup campaign.
For African football, Yassine’s emergence adds further evidence of Morocco’s growing depth and the development of a new generation capable of competing on the world’s biggest stage.
Born in Salon-de-Provence, France, Yassine developed his football career in France before choosing to represent Morocco internationally.
The winger joined Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg in 2023, where he has steadily established himself as one of the club’s promising young attacking players.
His performances at club level earned him his first senior international call-up in 2026, and he has wasted little time making an impact in national colours.
Scoring at a FIFA World Cup so early in his international career represents another significant milestone for the young attacker and highlights the faith shown in him by the Moroccan coaching staff.
According to the information provided, both the Moroccan Football Federation and RC Strasbourg congratulated Yassine after his record-breaking achievement.
His goal also underlined Morocco’s growing attacking depth.
While more established names have contributed throughout the tournament, substitute players have also delivered important moments, demonstrating the strength available within the Atlas Lions squad as they prepare for the knockout rounds.
Morocco’s qualification continues the country’s recent success on the global stage after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022.
The latest campaign has already seen the Atlas Lions remain unbeaten through the group phase, while another young player has etched his name into the nation’s football history.
