One of the lowest-ranked groups on the match at 72 on the planet, Morocco gamers huddled round a telephone to see if they’d advance to knockout levels.
Lahmari’s winner simply earlier than half-time separated the groups in Perth, however Morocco then endured a number of nerve-jangling minutes with Germany and South Korea locked at 1-1 in Brisbane and nonetheless enjoying.
Two-times former champions Germany wanted a victory to overhaul Morocco on aim distinction and progress from Group H.
But they may not produce a late winner, triggering wild celebrations from Morocco’s gamers and workers.
“At the end of our game, we came together and we were praying,” Lahmari advised reporters.
“(When we found out) it was a draw … it was a complete explosion of joy.
“We are so proud, delighted and happy. Emotions are running high.”
It was a fairytale second for Morocco, who rebounded from a humiliating 6-0 drubbing on their debut in opposition to Germany with wins over South Korea and now Colombia.
A Women’s World Cup stuffed with shocks had its largest but when Germany had been dumped out within the group section on Thursday following a stalemate with South Korea, with debutants Morocco progressing as an alternative.
Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Koreans coupled with Morocco’s shock 1-0 victory over Colombia noticed the European aspect endure their earliest exit in Women’s World Cup historical past.
The two-time former champions and one of many pre-tournament favourites comply with Brazil, Italy and Olympic champions Canada out of the competitors on the first hurdle.
Colombia topped Group H regardless of shedding and can face Jamaica within the final 16. Morocco progressed into the knockouts additionally with two wins and a defeat — that being a 6-0 thrashing by Germany — and meet France subsequent.
Germany had been third and condemned to an early flight house.
“To be honest, it’s still hard to understand,” skipper Alexandra Popp, who scored the German aim and was their chief risk all through, advised German TV community ZDF.
“I still can’t quite understand what happened here.”
Coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg stated: “If you want to see it as a disaster in sporting terms, then it’s hard to argue against it.” The 2003 and 2007 winners got here into the sport in entrance of just below 39,000 in Brisbane realizing {that a} win over South Korea would put them within the final 16.
But they began badly, conceding to a sensible Cho So-hyun end after simply six minutes and looking out shaky on the again early on.
Colin Bell’s South Korea regarded nothing just like the group that misplaced 2-0 to Colombia and 1-0 to Morocco.
Germany equalised simply earlier than half-time with a Popp header however for all their possession, final yr’s European finalists did not get the second aim they desperately wanted.
Originally printed as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 schedule, outcomes: Insane scenes as Germany crash out whereas Morocco advance
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
