LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Morocco became the last African team to be eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to France in Adelaide.
Morocco came back with a better team in the second half of this Round of 16 match, but it was not enough after a one-sided first half in which Les Bleues threatened to go on the offensive at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Kadidiatou Diani gave the French the early advantage 15 minutes into the game, and Kenza Dali’s precise finish into the far post followed five minutes later.
By the 23rd minute, Eugenie Le Sommer had made it 3-0 for Herve Renard’s ladies, as everything the French touched became blue.
Morocco had not attempted to score until the interval because Les Bleues goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was having a bad game.
The North Africans still had trouble mounting effective attacks, despite their success in keeping the ship in tact and reducing French assaults.
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Four minutes into the second half, Ibtissam Jraidi broke free for Morocco, prompting Peyraud-Magnin to scramble off her goal line to stop the threat.
Le Sommer stayed to secure her brace with 20 minutes left, dashed Morocco’s hopes of a comeback despite several good attempts.
Diani had a successful game, scoring a goal and dishing out two assists. She consistently posed a danger both on and off the ball, which kept the Moroccan defenders on their toes.
Morocco and the whole continent of Africa are most negatively affected. After allowing a staggering 12 goals to be scored against Australia/New Zealand, the Atlas Lionesses return home.
Following the earlier eliminations of Zambia, Banyana Banyana, and Nigeria, there are now no more African teams competing in this World Cup.
While France gets ready to play Australia, the co-hosts, in the quarterfinals, Morocco will be on a plane headed back home.