Morocco prayers answered as World Cup adventure kicks on. Magnificent Morocco in a tournament of surprises the 72nd-ranked team went from a 6-0 thrashing by Germany to taking the former champions’ expected spot in the round of 16. The Debutants bounced back from their mauling with a 1-0 win over South Korea and, in dramatic fashion in Perth on Thursday, followed up with an identical scoreline to upset Group H winners Colombia. To join the South American team in the knockouts, Morocco needed to win and hope the highly fancied Germans did not beat 17th-ranked South Korea in Brisbane. “At the end of our game, we all came together with the staff in the middle of the pitch, we had the phone and we started praying,” said midfielder Anissa Lahmari, who scored the close-range winner against Colombia just before halftime. “We were praying, waiting for the result to come out of the Germany and Korea game. It was a (1-1) draw and afterwards it was a complete explosion of joy.”
Magnificent Morocco advances to round 16 at W World Cup
Newslooks- PERTH
Debutants Morocco stunned Colombia 1-0 in their final group match in Perth on Thursday to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup at the first attempt along with their opponents. The 72nd ranked Moroccans scored through Anissa Lahmari’s toepoke after a saved penalty at the end of the first half but their passage was only secured after South Korea held twice champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in the other Group H match.
The Moroccan players and coaches huddled together on the pitch waiting for confirmation of the result from Brisbane, exploding in delight when word came through that the final whistle had been blown at Lang Park. Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group H – Morocco v Colombia – Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia – August 3, 2023.
“The game this evening was fantastic. It was fantastic for lots of different reasons. I would even say that it is the prize for the talent of this team,” winning coach Reynald Pedros told reporters. “We’ll do everything we can to go to the next stage. Our objective is not to stop now, we need to go further.”
Colombia topped the group with six points, bettering runners-up Morocco on goal difference, while Germany and South Korea depart the tournament.
The two teams generated chances in the first half, but it was only in stoppage time when Colombia’s Daniela Arias clumsily fouled forward Ibtissam Jraidi in the penalty area that Morocco had a genuine scoring opportunity.
Las Cafeteras keeper Catalina Perez dived to her left to stop Ghizlane Chebbak’s spot kick but midfielder Lahmari nudged the ball into the net in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.
Colombia dominated play in search of an equaliser after the break, with Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya Durango getting shots away in the 59th minute.
Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi found herself in the thick of it again in the 72nd minute when she tipped teenage striker Linda Caicedo’s shot over the bar.
Morocco players celebrate after qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup.
A frenzied finish saw end-to-end action, but the Arab nation held on to continue their fairytale start to their first World Cup campaign.
“We’ve learned another lesson,” said Colombia coach Nelson Abadia.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game to play, but if we keep the same mindset as we had today we can be hopeful that we can go further,” Morocco coach Reynald Pedros told a press conference.
“I was very pleased because the players understood tonight they can play the best players in the world. I really hope that this will be the trigger for the whole adventure.”
Morocco never let Colombia get a strong foothold in the game, defending well in the first half before Lahmari netted following a goalmouth scramble after captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty was saved.
Las Cafeteras grew into the match after the break but the North African nation held firm, ensuring they will join fellow African teams Nigeria and South Africa, who knocked out 2019 quarter-finalists Italy, in the knockout stages.
“What we saw tonight technically, physically, tactically, it’s what we’ve been working on for the last three years,” Pedros said.
“This is a showcase for the women’s game, for the Moroccans back home and this is such a beautiful display that we’re putting on here.”
