After a gap night time dissatisfied and a few impulsively shut video games to this point within the Women’s World Cup, there was once an open, albeit positive query as as to whether Morocco may give Germany a scare. But it was once obtrusive from the primary whistle that Morocco weren’t going so as to stay a blank sheet for lengthy and after a slower first half of the Euro 2022 runners-up brushed the debutants apart with an emphatic 6-0 victory within the opening Group H recreation.
The divide between the arena No 2 and No 72 was once simply too large and it took 11 mins for Germany’s captain, Alexandra Popp, to search out the again of the web, getting her head on a move from Kathrin Hendrich at the left. Morocco’s goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi and a defender got here out to satisfy the ball however each misjudged it, leaving Popp with an absolutely open objective.
Crosses proved to be the most important factor for the Atlas Lionesses, who’re the primary Arab country to qualify for the event. Popp secured her 2nd objective from a nook within the thirty ninth minute even if it seemed she was once going through the mistaken method. The truth Germany have been simplest two up via half-time was once thank you to a couple cast last-gasp intercepts and tackles from Zineb Redouani and Sarah Kassi.
The Moroccan forwards did reveal some shakiness in Germany’s defence, which was once lacking Marina Hegering, one thing Colombia and South Korea, the opposite groups in Group H, might be higher positioned to benefit from. The Morocca captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, and Rosella Ayane made promising runs ahead, linking up well and forcing Germany’s goalkeeper, Merle Frohms, into motion, however have been not able to transform their probabilities.
In the second one half of got here the rain in Melbourne, and the beginning of a German onslaught. Just seconds into the half of, a move from Klara Bühl was once despatched into the upright via Lina Magull, the rebounding ball going instantly again to Bühl who fired it previous Er-Rmichi to attain Germany’s 3rd.
In answer, the force from Ayane, Anissa Lahmari and Chebbak up entrance persisted to purpose issues for Germany’s again line, who every now and then perceived to scramble again. There was once a glimmer of hope for the Atlas Lionesses after a phenomenal flick again from Ayane to Chebbak simply out of doors the world, over to Lahmari, whose ensuing objective was once dominated offside.
Two personal objectives within the 54th and 79th mins, from Hanane Aït El Haj and Yasmin Mrabet, put the end result even additional past doubt, and added insult to damage for a Moroccan staff appearing glimpses of creativity on their World Cup debut. A 6th objective, this time from replace Lea Schüller, within the ultimate minute of normal time confirmed how intent Germany are on making their mark.
Morocco’s debut on the Women’s World Cup introduced with it a couple of first: the primary Arabic country, the primary from north Africa, and for a primary come upon with the staff ranked 2nd on the planet the Atlas Lionesses’ efficiency was once some distance from embarrassing. They will be capable to take positives from their efficiency – particularly the tempo and force within the midfield forcing mistakes from Germany – in addition to discovering a lot room for development.