Matildas learn potential quarter-final opponents after 'shocking' drama at World Cup
Morocco have sent the football world into meltdown after sending Germany packing from the Women's World Cup.
The Matildas have learned who they could potentially face in the quarter-finals at the Women's World Cup after Morocco advanced at the expense of heavyweights Germany in shock scenes on Thursday night. Playing in their first Women's World Cup ever, Morocco scored a stunning 1-0 win over Colombia in Perth that saw World No.2 Germany sent packing.
A first-half strike from Anissa Lahmari and some heroic goalkeeping by Khadija Er-Rmich saw Morocco - the first Arab country to play at a Women's World Cup - secure the win in front of 17,342 mostly-Colombian fans. After the game, World No.72 Morocco faced a nervous few minutes waiting for the final result of the Germany-South Korea game, which was locked at 1-1 deep into added time.
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A win for Germany would have demoted Morocco to third place in Group H (only the top two advance), but South Korea held on. It sparked wild celebrations among the Moroccan players, who had assembled in a circle in the middle of the pitch.
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The moment Morocco discovered they reached the round of 16! đ¤˛#FIFAWWC #beINWWC23 #beINSPIRED pic.twitter.com/3ahjakS2YZâ beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 3, 2023
Germany's draw meant they finished third and missed out on a spot in the knockout stages for the first time ever. Morocco instead advanced at the expense of the two-time champions, with Colombia still finishing top of the group despite the loss.
"When we had won the match, the most stressful thing was the other match," Morocco coach Reynald Pedros said afterwards. "We waited, and then the good news arrived. It was incredible."
Lahmari added: "At the end of our game, we had the phone and we were praying, waiting for the result to come out of the Germany and Korea game. It was a draw and afterwards it was a complete explosion of joy."
Morocco will now take on Group F winners France in the round of 16 in Adelaide on Tuesday, with the winner to face the victor of the Matildas-Denmark clash on Monday night. It marks a remarkable turnaround for Morocco, who were thrashed 6-0 by Germany in their opening match.
"After the first match of the tournament, I think 95 per cent or 98 per cent of people thought it was over, apart from us," Pedros said. "We thought we could do something, because football is magic.
"We know that emotions and hard work can lead to good things. If we are at the next stage, it's because we deserve it, for all the hard work we put in."
Germany fail to advance for first time in Women's World Cup
Germany's failure to advance to the round of 16 will go down as one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. The 2003 and 2007 champions only have themselves to blame, squandering 16 minutes of second-half added time in Brisbane.
"I am very disappointed. I missed the first game. I played the second and we lost. I played the third and we are out," said midfielder Lena Oberdorf. "I love those stages because they are the biggest you have in football. I would have loved to have more games to show how I can play ... so it is really disappointing for me."
World No.17 South Korea had a dream start to the match when Cho Sohyun was left unmarked and slotted home a through ball from defender Lee Youngju. Alexandra Popp scored her 66th international goal and fourth at this World Cup on 42 minutes with a textbook header from a pinpoint cross.
But it was the last goal Germany would score at the 2023 World Cup as a winner went begging and South Korea held on. Fans and commentators around the world were left in disbelief over the wild scenes.
WHAT IT MEANS đĨēđ˛đĻ#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/NWGzIBkdpy
â 433 (@433) August 3, 2023
âŊ This World Cup is crazy! đ¤¯
đŠđĒ Two-time champions and #2 ranked Germany have been knocked out after a 1-1 draw against Korea Republic.
đ˛đĻ Morocco â ranked 72nd â qualifies for the knockout phase alongside Colombia, who they beat 1-0. đđhttps://t.co/2DaUy33lyH #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/5vEEsZWUmLâ ABC SPORT (@abcsport) August 3, 2023
No. 72 ranked Morocco become lowest ranked team to make it to the #FIFAWWC knockout rounds.
They did it in their debut tournament đ¤¯ pic.twitter.com/aH0MpDAaTIâ B/R Football (@brfootball) August 3, 2023
both of these results are shocking omg this world cup is actually insaneâĻ dare i say more surprising than qatar 2022 #FIFAWWC https://t.co/EvmNFndpjM
â REGGAE GIRLZ đđđ¯đ˛ (@SPlDEY4LYFE) August 3, 2023
This Womenâs World Cup has been insane! With heartbreaks and surprises and unbelievable entries. #fifawwc
â Juhi Shah (@juhishah11) August 3, 2023
The hot favourites of the #FIFAWWC Germany crash out of the tournament. They failed to beat South Korea and there is a silence in Berlin and Munich. I can't believe this! pic.twitter.com/STr9YjYy4G
â FC MP (@sambayorker) August 3, 2023
I can't believe that Germany is out of the round of 16! Kudos to you Korea! #FIFAWWC
â Emily Janny (@janny1125) August 3, 2023
oh my GOD, the SCENES. this #FIFAWWC is honestly just unbelievable so far đ¤¯ the development of the women's game has grown so much in recent years - which is fantastic to see đ
â cam (@groundhoppercam) August 3, 2023
Round of 16 match-ups at Women's World Cup
Switzerland v Spain
Netherlands v South Africa
Japan v Norway
Sweden v USA
Australia v Denmark
France v Morocco
England v Nigeria
Colombia v Jamaica
The #FIFAWWC Round of 1ī¸âŖ6ī¸âŖ is set!
đĻđēvđŠđ°: 7.8.23 (8.30 pm AEST)
đī¸ Stadium Australia #Matildas #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/XbVAYBK7Dcâ CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 3, 2023
with AAP
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