03 August 2023
Debutants Morocco has joined Nigeria and South Africa as three African teams progressed into the Round of 16 for the first time at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand. The Atlas Lionesses made history beating Group H leaders Colombia 1 – 0 in their final group match, while former world champions and tournament favourites, Germany were held to 1 – 1 draw against bottom team South Korea.
Going into the third and final rounds of matches, Colombia sat comfortably at the top of the group with six from two wins in their first two games. It would take a heavy defeat against Morocco for the South Americans to be eliminated from the tournament, that is with the expectation that the Germans would steamroll the South Koreans. In that scenario, the three teams would end up with six points, while qualification would be decided by goal difference.
Morocco will take on France in the next round on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 12:00 noon (CET). The other African representatives, South Africa will meet Netherlands on Sunday, August 6 at 03:00, while Nigeria will square up against England on Monday August 7 at 08:30.