2023-08-03 14:27:27
Morocco, a novice in the competition, won its third match this Thursday, August 3 against Colombia (1-0). The Moroccans will have France as their opponent in the round of 16.
Published on: 03/08/2023 – 14:27
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The players coached by Reynald Pedros, beaten by Germany (6-0) when they entered the competition, spin in the round of 16, after their victory against Colombia on the last day of group H. And that’s finally Germany, second nation in the world ranking of Fifa, who had corrected the Lionesses of the Atlas, which goes by the wayside. The Germans, favorites to lift the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, finished in third place, after their draw against South Korea (1-1), in Brisbane. At half-time, despite a draw, Germany were eliminated and needed a win to move back into the top two.
Anissa Lahmari for the story
The Moroccans, finalists of the last CAN, modest 72nd in the Fifa ranking, achieve a real feat. In front of around 17,000 spectators, Anissa Lahmari scored the only goal of the game against the Colombians at the end of the first period, scoring a penalty rejected by goalkeeper Catalina Pérez. The players trained by the Frenchman Reynald Pedros, with two victories in three days, therefore stole second place from the Germans.
If the men had challenged France in the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Qatar, the Moroccans will face Les Bleues in the first direct elimination match on Tuesday August 8 for an unprecedented poster. For the first time, an African team reached the semi-finals of a World Cup. Will the girls avenge the boys?
This round of 16 of the Oceania World Cup will not be the first opposition between the two nations. In March 2008, the Blues had faced the Moroccans in Casablanca in a friendly, for what was their first meeting on the African continent. The score was final (6-0) with in particular a goal from Gaëtane Thiney. None of the players involved in the meeting on the French side appears 15 years later in the workforce in Australia.
For its part, Colombia, first in the group on goal difference against Morocco, will face Jamaica in the round of 16.
The reaction of Reynald Pedros, Morocco coach
“We made a small final against Colombia and we had a little help from fate with the draw of Germany and Korea (South). This third match is fantastic in the scenario, it is a huge pride to represent Morocco in the round of 16. (Playing France in eighth) It’s special, because it’s France, but what interests me is the sporting aspect. We have just achieved a feat over three games, now these are cutthroat matches, knockout, everything is possible. I know this French team perfectly, it’s an advantage, it’s a very strong team, with players with a lot of experience, of a very high level. It will be a very difficult match, but if we have the same state of mind as today, we can hope to qualify and we will do everything to qualify. If with this result, we manage to have young players who register for football by the thousands, it will be something positive. Today, we are very happy and we will try to tickle this French team. This World Cup is incredible, there are surprises, that’s the magic of high-level sport, nothing is written in advance and we have just written this page. »
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