Women’s World Cup: Morocco book surprise place in last 16 by beating Colombia

Morocco have qualified for the last 16 after beating Colombia in their final Women’s World Cup group match.

The 1-0 win means that the World Cup debutantes have finished above two-time champions Germany after they could only draw against Colombia.

Morocco are the only one of the eight debut teams who have reached the knockout stages of this year’s tournament, and will play tournament hopefuls France on Tuesday.

Colombia have gone through as Group H winners after beating both Germany and South Korea.

Anissa Lahmari scored the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time when she bundled in on the rebound after Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty was saved.

Morocco started the bright of the two teams and Ibtissam Jraidi had an early chance turned round the post by Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez.

Jraidi won the penalty that led to the Morocco goal when she was felled by Daniela Arias. Chebbak’s spot-kick was saved by Perez but Lahmari was there to turn in the rebound.

Colombia improved in the second half but did not show enough in attack to make the breakthrough. Daniela Montoya tested Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi and Lorena Bedoya sent the ball narrowly wide.

Mayra Ramirez came closest for Colombia but her shot hit the post from a tight angle.

Colombia will meet England in the quarter-finals if both teams win their last-16 matches.

Cover Photo: The flag of Morocco” by Kristian Thøgersen is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .