There was plenty of excitement and drama on Day 11 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Colombia stealing the majority of the headlines.
History was also made at the tournament courtesy of World Cup newcomer Morocco, while co-host New Zealand disappointingly bowed out of the competition.
The Results
Group H: Morocco 1, South Korea 0 (in Adelaide) – Game stats || Report
Group A: Switzerland 0, New Zealand 0 (in Dunedin) – Game stats || Report
Group A: Norway 6, Philippines 0 (in Auckland) – Game stats || Report
Group H: Colombia 2, Germany 1 (in Sydney) – Game stats || Report
Main Talking Points
Morocco makes history three times in the same game
Tournament debutantes Morocco rebounded from a humiliating 6-0 loss to Germany in its opening match by making history on Sunday for all the right reasons. The African nation recorded its first-ever victory at the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 decision over South Korea, a victory that gives Morocco a solid chance of moving on to the knockout round.
Striker Ibtissam Jraidi was the hero for the Atlas Lionesses, scoring with a deft header off a cross from Hanane Ait El Haj in the sixth minute. The goal was Morocco’s first at the Women’s World Cup. After getting pummeled by the Germans, Morocco kept things tight at the back as South Korea failed to register a single shot on target despite having 63 per cent possession. It was a stunning upset. Morocco, at No. 72 in the current FIFA world rankings, is one of the lowest-ranked nations at the World Cup. South Korea is 17th.
“We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs, it’s the fruit of our hard work,” Jraidi said after the win.
Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina also made history when she became the first player to wear a hijab at the Women’s World Cup or any other major senior-level women’s tournament. FIFA lifted its ban on players wearing religious head coverings during games in 2014.
Co-host New Zealand bows out of the tournament
New Zealand also made history on Sunday, but for all the wrong reasons. The Football Ferns played to a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in Dunedin, a result that sent the co-host crashing out of the tournament.
Norway thrashed the Philippines 6-0 in Auckland in the day’s other Group A match, which put them level with New Zealand for second place on four points behind group winner Switzerland. However, Norway advanced at the expense of New Zealand based on its superior goal difference (plus-five vs. zero), even though the co-host stunned the Norwegians 1-0 in their opening match.
New Zealand is the first host nation in the history of the Women’s World Cup to exit the tournament in the group stage. It’s only happened twice on the men’s side: South Africa in 2010 and Qatar in 2022.
“I know it’s super emotional now because everybody’s disappointed about the result, but this team can be so proud. There are so many positives that we are taking away from the whole experience,” New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova said.
Colombia upsets Germany in match of the tournament
What a game!
Colombia and Germany put on a thrilling show for a sellout crowd in Sydney, capped by Manuela Vanegas’s headed goal off a corner kick deep into injury time to seal a big win and send the South Americans to the top of the Group H table. In doing so, Colombia ended Germany’s unbeaten run in group-stage play at 20 consecutive matches, a Women’s World Cup record. The only other time the Germans suffered a defeat in the first round of the World Cup came during the 1995 tournament to host Sweden.
Germany, ranked No. 2 in the world, entered the game as the heavy favourite against upstart Colombia (No. 25), especially after its 6-0 demolition of Morocco in its opening Group H match. But the South Americans weren’t intimidated and took the game right to the European powerhouse.
Linda Caicedo’s fantastic goal into the top right corner after peeling away from two German defenders inside the box in the 52nd minute was just reward for a Colombian side that attacked with plenty of purpose. It was a moment of pure genius from the 18-year-old Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago and who collapsed in training earlier this week.
The Germans did not go gently into that good night, though. A brilliant piece of link-up play on the edge of Colombia’s 18-yard box ended with goalkeeper Catalina Perez bringing down Germany midfielder Lena Oberdorf in the 89th minute. Alexandra Popp converted from the penalty spot, scoring her third goal of this World Cup and seemingly rescuing her team.
But Colombia found another gear in injury time and Vanegas took full advantage of some abysmal defensive marking by the Germans on a corner kick to score the winner in the 97th minute.
Goal of the Day
In the 31st minute, Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen did well to win a loose ball outside of the Philippines’ penalty box to keep her team’s attacking momentum alive. The FC Barcelona winger then took two touches of the ball to tee herself up before unleashing a blistering shot from 23 yards out that whipped past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and nestled inside the far post.
Moment of the Day
Despite a 6-0 loss to Norway that resulted in their elimination, the Philippines were showered with praise and appreciation by their fans in Auckland.
Quote of the Day
“There’s a sense of pride for us to pull this first World Cup win out of the bag. We didn’t change our philosophy [after losing 6-0 to Germany]. The Korean team is not like the German team, and we got off to a blinding start … We were efficient in the box; that was missing against Germany.” – Morocco coach Reynald Pedros.
Three Stars of the Day
1. Sophie Román Haug, Norway: The AS Roma forward became the second player at this tournament to record a hat trick and helped send her team through to the knockout round.
2. Linda Caicedo, Colombia: The 18-year-old forward opened the scoring against Germany with a highlight-reel goal and was an attacking dynamo for her country the entire game.
3. Nouhaila Benzina, Morocco: The Moroccan defender made a number of important interventions, she almost scored off a set-piece, and she took an intentional yellow card when she clipped Ji So-yun to break up a South Korean scoring chance on the counterattack.
Looking Ahead
Canada returns to action when it faces Australia in Melbourne on Monday (6 a.m. ET / 3 a.m. PT), while Nigeria faces the Republic of Ireland in Group B play at the same time. A win or draw by the Canadians would allow them to advance to the knockout round.
Spain and Japan also face off on Monday (3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT). Both teams have qualified for the round-of-16, but the winner will finish first Group C. Spain would also end up topping the group with a draw. The Group C winner will play Norway in the round-of-16; the runner-up will face Switzerland.
Zambia faces Costa Rica in Group C’s other match on Monday (3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT). Both nations have already been eliminated from contention.
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 20 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic can be found here.
