Debutants Morocco surprised Colombia 1-0 of their closing group match in Perth to attain the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on the first try, together with their opponents.
The world No 72-ranked Moroccans scored by means of Anissa Lahmari’s rebound after a saved penalty on the finish of the primary half, however their passage was solely secured after South Korea held two-time champions Germany to a 1-1 draw within the different Group H match. Colombia topped the group with six factors, bettering runners-up Morocco on purpose distinction, whereas Germany and South Korea depart.
Morocco, who had been thumped 6-0 by Germany of their opener earlier than beating South Korea 1-0, transfer on to meet France in Adelaide and Colombia play Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The two teams generated probabilities within the first half, nevertheless it was solely in stoppage time when Colombia’s Daniela Arias clumsily fouled ahead Ibtissam Jraïdi within the penalty space that Morocco had a real scoring alternative.
Las Cafeteras keeper Catalina Pérez dived to her left to cease Ghizlane Chebbak’s spot-kick, however midfielder Lahmari nudged the ball into the web within the ensuing goalmouth scramble.
Colombia dominated play in quest of an equaliser after the break, with Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya Durango getting pictures away within the 59th minute. Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi discovered herself within the thick of it once more within the 72nd minute when she tipped teenage striker Linda Caicedo’s shot over the bar.
A frenzied end produced end-to-end motion, however Morocco held on to proceed their outstanding begin to their first World Cup marketing campaign.
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