By Victor Kanayo
Germany on Monday squeezed Morocco 6-0 in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opening campaign in Melbourne, Australia.
It was an encounter captain Alexandra Popp scored twice to propel its country as favourites to heap heavy defeat on debutants.
With the victory, Germany now top group H.
How German Clean Sweep Dropped
Striker Popp made her mark with two clinical headers in the first half.
Then, Klara Buhl pounced on a rebound shortly after half-time to extend Germany’s lead, before Morocco’s Hanane Ait el Haj and Yasmin Mrabet poked into their net on separate occasions.
Germany continued to dominate and to create problems and completed the rout when substitute Lea Schuller added a sixth, firing it into an empty net after a swift counter-attack on the right.
It was a strong performance from Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s led side as they created numerous chances and looked sharp going forward, hitting the woodwork on two occasions and having a goal ruled out for offside.
Despite missing key players Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering through injury, Germany maintained their impressive record in the group stages of the competition, losing only once in 25 matches.
Morocco, one of eight teams making their World Cup debut this year, was dangerous in flashes, but they lacked the clinical touch that Germany’s Popp provided at the other end.
Standing Records So Far
As it stands, no debutant is yet to score or win at this World Cup, making it a total of 11 straight losses for debutants.
Also, Nigeria is the only African side yet to concede in the tournament and with a point against much fancied Canada.
Aside Morocco, Zambia, South Africa faced defeats in their group opening games.
