Morocco, which is playing its first Women’s World Cup, signed a historic victory against South Korea (1-0) in Adelaide, Australia. In the other matches of the day, Norway and Switzerland qualified for the round of 16 of the competition. Norway crushed the Philippines (6-0), and Switzerland drew (0-0) against New Zealand. And Colombia managed a great feat by winning on the wire against Germany (2-1).
Colombia achieve the feat against Germany
Carried by a whole stadium, Colombia, a surprise team at the 2023 World Cup, created the feat on Sunday in Sydney against Germany (2-1), vice-champion of Europe and favorite, in particular thanks to a sublime goal from his nugget Linda Caicedo. Colombia are thus approaching the round of 16.
Linda Caicedo opened the scoring with a sublime shot in the skylight after a sequence eliminating two German defenders (52nd), already considered the goal of the World Cup. Overwhelmed by the commitment and the grinta of the South Americans, the Germans managed to come back to the score, thanks to the inevitable Alexandra Popp (90th), who converted a penalty obtained by Lena Oberdorf. But at the very end of the match, Manuela Vanegas stunned Germany with a header from a corner (90th + 7).
With this success, Colombia take the lead in Group F and go a foot and a half into the round of 16, while the Germans are now relegated to second position, under pressure before the final day of the group stage on Thursday.
Switzerland and Norway qualified for the round of 16
Group A saw its outcome with the matches of the 3rd day: Norway, with a hat-trick from Sophie Roman Haug, qualified in extremis for the round of 16 but had to settle for second place, behind the Swiss. Last in the standings before the final day, the Scandinavians raised their heads against the Philippines (6-0), in Auckland, to obtain their first success in the tournament.
With 4 points, they avoid the humiliation of an early elimination, but the rest of the course promises to be perilous, against Spain or Japan, who face each other on Monday.
They are doing well thanks to a better overall goal difference (+5 against 0) than New Zealand, held in check by Switzerland (0-0) in Dunedin. The Swiss (5 pts), who did not concede a single goal, won first place in the group as in 2015, during their only participation in a World Cup so far.
The New Zealanders (4 pts), co-hosts of the competition with Australia, and the Philippines (3 pts), which is their first participation, are eliminated.
Morocco’s historic victory
Morocco, a novice in the competition, won its first success in a Women’s World Cup, against South Korea (1-0), Sunday July 30, in Adelaide, thanks to a goal from the head of Ibtissam Jraidi in the 6th minute of play.
The Atlas Lionesses made history on two counts, as defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first veiled player to play in a World Cup match. FIFA authorized the wearing of the veil in competition ten years ago.
The Moroccans, modest 72nd in the FIFA rankings, did more than resist against the Koreans, favorites (17th in the FIFA rankings) but unable to get dangerous chances.
“Everyone has seen today that Morocco has quality and that it exists throughout the world. We have to continue,” reacted French coach Reynald Pedros, finalist of the African Cup. last year.
The Lionesses, beaten by Germany (6-0) when they entered the competition , remain in the race for qualification for the round of 16, before facing Colombia on the last day of Group H, Thursday August 3 .
