Lebanon U20 vs Syria U20

A goalless first half offered few clear chances, with both sides cautious in the opening 45 minutes.

Lebanon broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half. Mohammed Fahas opened the scoring in the 55th minute, finding the net from inside the box to give the hosts the lead.

Syria responded 21 minutes later. The visitors equalised in the 76th minute — the goal coming from open play, though the scorer was not named in the match report published by the Lebanese Football Association.

Rather than settle for a draw, Lebanon pushed for a winner. The pressure told in the 89th minute when substitute Mohammed Faqih latched onto a loose ball inside the area and fired home, sparking celebrations among the home side.

Syria's 76th-minute equaliser could have deflated Lebanon, but instead it triggered a sustained spell of pressure. Lebanon's response — not dropping deep — was the decisive tactical choice. The hosts continued to create chances and were rewarded when Faqih struck with just over a minute of normal time remaining.

• Mohammed Fahas (Lebanon U20): Opened the scoring with a well-taken finish in the 55th minute, giving Lebanon a platform to build on. A constant threat down the right flank.
• Mohammed Faqih (Lebanon U20): Introduced as a second-half substitute and scored the 89th-minute winner. His impact off the bench decided the game.
• Lebanon's backline: Held firm after taking the lead and again after equalising, limiting Syria to few clear chances across the 90 minutes.

Player of the match: Mohammed Faqih (Lebanon U20)

The match finished 0-0 at half-time — a pattern common in tightly-contested youth friendlies where both teams prioritise defensive shape. Lebanon's offensive output increased markedly after the break: they scored twice in the second half while Syria's response was limited to a single equaliser. Lebanon's ability to score twice after the interval, including a stoppage-time winner, suggests superior fitness and squad depth in the closing stages of the camp.

This was the second of two friendlies between the sides — the first on 3 July ended 0-0. Lebanon's win closes their domestic training camp under head coach Majid Bougherra, the former Algeria international who took charge of the U20 setup. Both teams now turn their focus to the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, which begin on 31 August 2026.

Lebanon U20 are drawn in Group A alongside South Korea U20, Philippines U20 and Kyrgyzstan U20. Syria U20's qualification group was not confirmed at the time of writing. The top team from each group and the best runners-up advance to the main tournament in China.

A deserved win for Lebanon, who showed greater urgency after falling level and claimed victory with a late goal that reflected their second-half dominance. For Syria, the performance was encouraging in patches but the inability to hold a draw for the final 15 minutes will be a concern. Both sides gained useful competitive minutes ahead of AFC qualification.

Match details: Friendlies (World), Season 2026 | 5 July 2026, 13:00 UTC | Tripoli Municipal Stadium, Lebanon | Lebanon U20 2-1 Syria U20 (HT 0-0)

Goalscorers: Mohammed Fahas 55' (Lebanon U20), Syria U20 76' (scorer unconfirmed), Mohammed Faqih 89' (Lebanon U20)