TheCable

Morocco’s Lionesses of Atlas have qualified for the second round of the ongoing Women’s World Cup. 

The Moroccans defeated Columbia 1-0 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Thursday to achieve the feat.

Anissa Lahmari’s first-half strike was the vital difference that gave Morocco a first-ever appearance at the Women’s World Cup knockout stage.

🇲🇦 @EnMaroc have done everything they can! #BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC

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— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023

The Lionesses were part of the eight debutants at the competitions. Although they were mauled 6-0 in their first game by Germany, Morocco bounced back and defeated South Korea 1-0 in their second game before sealing their fate against the Columbians.

The team joins Nigeria and South Africa as African countries that advanced beyond the group stage — the first time three countries from the continent will be achieving such a milestone.

HISTORY! 🔥

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THREE AFRICAN NATIONS HAVE QUALIFIED TO THE WORLD CUP’S ROUND OF 16! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/IUpb8vdafw

— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) August 3, 2023

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Morocco will face France in their second-round clash on Tuesday.

In the other game of the group, Germany were knocked out of the competition after they failed to defeat Korea in a match that finished 1-1.

Korea’s Cho So-Hyun stunned the European superpower early into the game as Alexander Pop scored her fourth goal of the tournament. The goal, however, proved too little to save the Germans from elimination.