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 toe-poke 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.
Morroco players react to Germany draw
You're going to want the sound up on this one
Listen to the Arabic call of the moment Morocco learned it was in the Knockout Stage(via BEIN Sports MENA) pic.twitter.com/DbZa4rG5D7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout high-fives supporters after clinching a spot in the knockout stage pic.twitter.com/FprLubgN22
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
This is what it means for Morocco
Morocco's Head Coach Reynald Pedros and players break into tears after clinching a spot in the Knockout Stage for the first time ever ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zwgi4xKyid— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) 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.
Morocco, who were thumped 6-0 by Germany in their opener before beating South Korea 1-0, move on to meet France in Adelaide and Colombia play Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.
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.
What a way to score your first international goal
Catalina Pérez denies the first attempt, but Anissa Lahmari on the follow up puts it away for the 1-0 Morocco lead! pic.twitter.com/9i3a4hE0VP— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
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.
Just wide from Colombia pic.twitter.com/aTbadFoCBC
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) 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.
What a fantastic save from Khadija Er-Rmichi pic.twitter.com/dCykPrBUt0
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
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.
Germany vs. South Korea highlights
Germany has been knocked out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Relive the historic exit in our 90' in 90" ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/G5Z6aVAMXv— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
(Reporting by Joel Dubber in Perth; Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Pritha Sarkar)
