Anissa Lahmari scored the only goal as Morocco sealed a 1-0 Group H victory over Colombia and earned their place in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Thursday, becoming the third African nation to advance past the pool stage.
The North Africans, who finished runners-up in their pool ahead of ousted pre-tournament favourites Germany, join South Africa and Nigeria in the knockout rounds and will meet France on Tuesday in Sydney.
It is a stunning outcome for a side who were thumped 6-0 by Germany in their opening pool fixture, but followed that up with a pair of 1-0 wins over South Korea and Colombia, the latter topping the pool.
Morocco coach Reynald Pedros had urged his side to remain calm in the wake of that Germany loss and vowed they would improve. He was right, but their passage was also aided by Germany’s inability to beat South Korea in their final pool game that ended 1-1.
It is proving a stunning World Cup for Africa, with few predicting they would have more than perhaps one side in the knockout rounds, but they have shown the level between teams on the continent and the rest of the world is closing.
Zambia are the only side that did not make it out of their pool, but they at least signed off with a 3-1 win in their final game against Costa Rica.
Colombia had a strong early appeal for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Lahmari in the box, but nothing was given.
Lahmari then fired over from the edge of the penalty area when well placed, before Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi made a smart stop just past the half-hour mark.
Morocco then had a strong penalty appeal turned down before they did win a spot-kick seconds before halftime as Ibtissam Jraïdi was bundled over in the box following a push in the back.
The penalty from Ghizlane Chebbak was superbly saved by Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez, but Lahmari followed up to score as she poked in the loose ball.
There was a quiet start to the second half, but as it wore on, it was wave-after-wave of Colombia attacks.
Errmichi made a superb stop to deny Daniela Montoya from close range, while Lorena Bedoya could only hit the side-netting.
Mayra Ramírez was proving a real threat on the Colombian right wing and she burst into the box before rifling in a shot that hit the outside of the post. Shortly afterwards she had a penalty appeal waved away.
Morocco had to withstand heavy pressure in the closing stages, but were able to withstand the Colombia onslaught to claim their famous win.
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