Morocco stun Colombia to reach Women’s World Cup knockout round

Morocco stunned 1-0 Colombia in their last group game to book a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout round spot.

Their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, Morocco recovered from a 6-0 opening game spanking vs Germany to win vs South Korea and Colombia to reach the last-16.

In a dramatic final day, Morocco won 1-0 in Perth while Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea, the outcome enough to send the North Africans through.

The match-winner was scored in the final seconds of the first half when Morocco’s Lahmari scored off a scramble after a missed penalty.

Colombia goalkeeper Perez saved Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty with a brilliant diving save low to her left.

Ouzraoui reacted fastest to reclaim the ball, but her effort was blocked before the rebound fell to Lahmari in the middle to score from almost on the goal line.

Colombia pressed over for an equalizer but a determined Morocco team held on for a 1-0 win in Perth to book an historic last-16 spot.

Colombia finished in top spot with six points but with a superior goal difference to second placed Morocco with same number of points.

Germany will head home after taking four points at the Women’s World Cup while South Korea are bottom of the section with a single point from the draw in Brisbane.

Morocco becomes the third African country, after Nigeria and South Africa in the last-16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first time Africa has had this number of representatives in the knockout round.