Debutants Morocco stunned Colombia 1-0 in their final group match to reach the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the first attempt along with their opponents on Thursday, at the Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.
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.
Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez dived to her left to stop Ghizlane Chebbak’s spot kick, but midfielder Anissa Lahmari rebounded the ball into the net in the ensuing goalmouth scramble to give Morocco the lead.
Morocco midfielder Anissa Lahmari scores goal against Colombia.
The South Americans dominated play in search of an equaliser after the break, with Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya Durango getting shots away in the 59th minute.
A sensational end to the #FIFAWWC group stage. 🤯
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023
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. A tense finish saw end-to-end action, but Morocco held on to continue their fairytale start to their first World Cup campaign.
The 72nd ranked Moroccans scored through an Lahmari’s toe-poke after a saved penalty at the end of the first half, but their passage was only secured after South Korea held two-time champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in the other Group H match.
Colombia topped the group with six points, bettering runners-up Morocco on goal difference, while Germany and South Korea depart the tournament.
Thursday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup results
Morocco 1-0 Colombia
South Korea 1-1 Germany.
