Twice former winners Germany crashed out in the opening phase of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in their final Group H match on Thursday.
The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing and Morocco’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the other group match in Perth sent both teams through to the last-16.
The Koreans took a surprise early lead when Cho So-hyun netted in the sixth minute but, while Alexandra Popp equalised with a trademark header three minutes before the interval, Germany were unable to find the winner needed to advance.
Casey Phair almost gave the Koreans the lead when the 16-year-old saw her second-minute effort pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Merle Frohms.
Colin Bell’s side only had to wait four more minutes to strike, however, when Lee Young-ju’s pass from deep split the German defence and the unmarked Cho calmly slotted her first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Germany were frustrated by the hard-pressing Koreans, but in the 42nd minute the former champions levelled as Popp out-jumped the defence to meet Svenja Huth’s right wing cross and loop her header beyond Kim Jung-mi.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side threw everything forward after the interval, with Popp’s 57th minute header ruled out on review by VAR as the striker strayed offside following a clever flick by Lea Schuller. The German forward then rattled the crossbar two minutes later with another headed effort and Popp was again denied 16 minutes
from time.
Atlas Lionesses roar
Morocco beat Colombia 1-0 to make it to the knockout round, creating yet more history at the global tournament.
Morocco is the first Arab or North African nation to go beyond the group stage at the Women’s World Cup, and the only one of eight tournament newcomers to advance.
Morocco’s winning goal came in first-half stoppage time, when Anissa Lahmari put back a penalty-save rebound. If Morocco’s qualification for the Women’s World Cup inspired a generation, this will cement the legacy of the Atlas Lionesses.
The Moroccans were trounced 6-0 by Germany in their debut game, but bounced back with consecutive wins over South Korea and a Colombia team that had been growing in confidence after edging Germany.
Colombia had their best scoring chance in the 59th minute, when their 18-year-old superstar, Linda Caicedo, served a ball to the far post, which Daniela Montoya one-timed to the left of goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi. She made a kick save, blocking the ball with just the front edge of her right cleat.
In the 69th, Caicedo leaned on the field barrier reaching down to her left ankle. She hobbled but stayed in the match.
