After enjoying their half by edging Colombia 1-0, Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses huddled on the pitch in Perth to comply with the tip of the Germany-South Korea group-stage finale on the Women’s World Cup and hope it remained tied.
“We had the phone and we started praying. We were praying while we were watching the game,” stated midfielder Anissa Lahmari, who scored Morocco’s successful purpose in first-half stoppage time on Thursday. “Afterwards it was just a complete explosion of joy.”
Cue celebrations, each in Morocco and different components of the Arab world.
In one of the surprising outcomes within the final days of the group stage, Morocco superior to the knockout spherical in second place behind Colombia whereas No. 2-ranked Germany didn’t advance for the primary time on the match.
Morocco is the primary Arab or North African nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup and now the primary to advance past the group stage. That’s one thing not one of the different seven match newcomers managed to do.
And it began with a thumping 6-0 loss to Germany. While the Moroccans recovered to win their subsequent two video games, Germany misplaced 2-1 to Colombia after which was held 1-1 by South Korea when it wanted a win in Brisbane to keep away from elimination.
“When we had won the match, the most stressful thing was the other match,” Morocco coach Reynald Pedros stated.
The final two group video games began on the similar time on reverse sides of the Australian continent however stoppage time in Brisbane lasted longer.
“We waited, and then the good news arrived. It was incredible,” Pedros stated.
If Morocco’s qualification for the Women’s World Cup impressed a technology, this run to the knockout stage will cement a legacy for the Atlas Lionesses.
The win over South Korea final weekend was historic for the workforce, for Ibtissam Jraïdi scoring the Morocco’s first World Cup purpose, and for an additional vital milestone — defender Nouhaila Benzina grew to become the primary participant to put on a Hijab in a World Cup sport on the senior stage.
“After the first match of the tournament, I think 98% of people thought it was over, apart from us,” Pedros stated. “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.”
The game against Colombia was an even contest right through the first half until Jraidi was fouled in the penalty area in the dying seconds before the break. Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty attempt was saved, but Lahmari swooped on the rebound to put her team ahead of Colombia — and, just as importantly, ahead of Germany in the standings.
Colombia had its best scoring chance in the 59th minute, when 18-year-old Linda Caicedo served a ball to the far post, which Daniela Montoya one-timed to the left of goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. The Moroccan ‘keeper made a reflex kick save, blocking the ball with just the front edge of her right cleat.
In the 69th, Caicedo, after a long run, stopped and leaned on the field barrier, reaching down to her left ankle and foot. She appeared hobbled for several minutes but stayed in the match.
Why it matters
Moroccan soccer fans have had plenty of celebrate with their national teams at the most recent World Cups. The Atlas Lionesses created history just by qualifying, and then just by scoring their first win. Beating Colombia to knock Germany out of the tournament was another level.
Morocco’s men’s team also made World Cup history last year. In the 2022 men’s World Cup, the Atlas Lions advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986 and became the first African or Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal.
Colombia wins its group for the first time in team history and is in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2015.
In their own words
Morocco’s fans “are going to support us one more time. We love them, we cherish them, we feel they’re behind us. It gives us strength. Well done to all the girls and we’re continuing on our merry way.” — Reynald Pedros, Morocco coach.
“It was an intense game and a very strategic game. We lost because of a mistake we made in the goal area, with the penalty.” — Nelson Abadía, Colombia coach.
What’s subsequent
Morocco, because the Group H runner-up, will play Group F winner France in Adelaide on Tuesday. Colombia will play Group F runner-up Jamaica the identical day in Melbourne.