By Victor Kanayo
Debutants Morocco shockingly on Thursday beat Colombia 1-0 to reach the last 16 of the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Surprisingly, Germany in same group H as Morocco have crashed out.
Morocco, a north African side have now joined their fellow continental nations – South Africa and Nigeria in the round of 16 stage.
While Nigeria’s Super Falcons face England in the knockout, Bayana Bayana of South Africa will battle Netherlands.
How Atlas Lionesses Squeezed Through
The Atlas Lionesses as the Moroccan women team are fondly known began the brighter of the two sides, enjoying more possession and looking as the side more likely to score.
However, clear-cut chances were few and far between in the first half.
That was until Ibtissam Jraidi was bundled over in the penalty area moments before the break. Ghizlane Chebbak saw the subsequent penalty saved, but Anissa Lahmari was in the right place to poke home the rebound to give her nation a priceless lead and leapfrog Germany into second.
Colombia had several fantastic opportunities to equalise in the second half, but Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi was equal to everything thrown at her as the game ticked past the 100-minute mark.
The South Americans couldn’t find a leveller, meaning that Morocco – thanks in hand to Germany’s 1-1 draw with Korea Republic – advanced in second place behind Las Cafeteras.
Morocco that lost 6-0 to the Germans in their opener before successive wins will now face France in Adelaide in the knockout phase.
Colombia, who earned two wins in their first two matches and finish above Morocco on goal difference, will play Jamaica in Melbourne earlier on 8 August.
At Qatar in 2022, the Morocco men’s team became the first African side to reach a Fifa World Cup semi-final.
The country is now seeing a second historic football achievement in the space of a year.
Debutants On Exit Lane
Of the eight debutants at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, seven had already exited the tournament before this match.
Only Philippines, by beating co-hosts New Zealand, Portugal and giving the USA a mighty scare, had come close to reaching the knockout stage.
