Morocco made history in multiple ways during its 1-0 victory over South Korea in the Women's World Cup on Sunday in Adelaide, Australia.
Morocco players celebrate their victory. Source: Bleacher Report
Defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a Hijab in a World Cup game at the senior level, and her teammate Ibtissam Jraïdi scored the Atlas Lionesses’ first World Cup goal. The Moroccans scored in the 6th minute and were able to make it stand up for the remainder of the match.
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After a lopsided 6-0 loss against Germany, the victory keeps No. 72-ranked Morocco in contention to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Key Moments
- Morocco scored its first ever World Cup goal in the sixth minute when Ibtissam Jraïdi met a cross from Hanane Aït El Haj with a glancing header toward the far post.
- South Korea had the majority of the possession but was unable to translate the advantage into many scoring opportunities.
- Its best chance at equalizing came in the 87th minute when 16-year-old Casey Phair pushed a shot just wide of the post. Phair, the youngest player to appear at a World Cup, went on as a late substitute.
Why It Matters
After dropping its opening match 6-0 to Germany, Morocco’s victory temporarily moves it level with Germany and Colombia on three points ahead of the matchup later Sunday between those teams in Sydney. Morocco becomes the first Arab Nation ever to win a game at a Women’s World Cup and remains in contention to advance to the round of 16.
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Women's World Cup. Source: FIFA
South Korea is all but eliminated from the tournament after its second loss of the tournament.
In Their Own Words
“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.” - Ibtissam Jraïdi, Morocco forward.
“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyze. The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.” - Collin Bell, South Korea coach.
Match Statistics
Here's a summary of key match statistics:
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| Statistic | Morocco | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 0 |
| Fouls | 15 | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 0 |
Key Highlights
Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina, who became the first player to wear a headscarf at the Women's World Cup, made crucial interventions, while she almost scored from a set-piece when she volleyed a snapshot over the bar. She even took one for the team when she deliberately clipped Ji So-yun, who was racing through on goal on a counterattack with support, accepting a yellow card without protest.
Nouhaila Benzina. Source: Sky Sports
Park Eun-sun nearly levelled with a diving header of her own at the other end but the forward saw her effort go agonisingly wide of the post, much to the relief of Khadija Er-Rmichi in Morocco's goal.
Er-Rmichi saw Germany find the net six times in their group opener, but she was hardly tested by the South Koreans, who failed to have a shot on target and struggled to make inroads into the final third as the Moroccan defence stood firm.
"There's a sense of pride for us to pull this first World Cup win out of the bag," coach Reynald Pedros said, dedicating the victory to the king of Morocco.
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"We didn't change our philosophy" after losing 6-0 to Germany, Pedros said. "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."
But South Korea could not capitalise from the free kick, which hit the wall as coach Collin Bell stood on the touchline shaking his head in frustration.
South Korea's Casey Phair nearly equalised late in the game, but the 16-year-old, who became the youngest player to take the field in Women's World Cup history in their opener, fired wide to leave them bottom of the group.
"I can't believe it, to be honest. We saved the worst two performances in my tenure for the World Cup. I didn't recognise my own team," said Bell, who took over in 2019 and guided the team to the final of the Asian Cup last year.
Morocco are level with Germany and Colombia with three points ahead of their game later on Sunday.
What's Next
Morocco will take on Colombia on the final day of the group stage Thursday in Perth in a match that may decide which of the two teams advances to the round of 16. South Korea will play Germany in Brisbane.
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