In a thrilling night of Group H games, Fifa Women’s World Cup newcomers Morocco pulled off a stunning victory over Colombia, edging them out 1-0.
The dramatic showdown was a bittersweet affair as it also marked the unexpected exit of tournament heavyweights, Germany.
The Atlas Lionesses roared into the match, dominating possession early on and seeming more likely to draw first blood. However, despite their ferocious start, the first half was largely a stalemate with few clear opportunities to net a goal.
Just as the halftime whistle loomed, Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraidi was tripped in the penalty area. Ghizlane Chebbak’s shot was deflected, but teammate Anissa Lahmari was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound, securing a critical lead and pushing Morocco ahead of Germany in the standings.
The second half saw Colombia on the offensive, creating numerous chances to level the score. However, Morocco’s goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi, remained resilient, fending off shot after shot as the game neared the 100-minute mark.
Despite their best efforts, the South Americans couldn’t break through, enabling Morocco to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
This dramatic advancement came thanks to Germany’s 1-1 draw with Korea Republic, which positioned Morocco second behind Las Cafeteras.
