Morocco claim first Women’s World Cup win as co-hosts New Zealand crash out

July 30, 2023 2:02 pm

Morocco claim first Women's World Cup win as co-hosts New Zealand crash out

World Cup debutants Morocco secured their first-ever win at the women’s tournament with a 1-0 victory over South Korea on Sunday.

Ibtissam Jraidi scored the only goal in the sixth minute of the Group H contest as the Atlas Lionesses bounced back from their 6-0 bashing in the hands of Germany in the opening game of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina also became the first player to wear a headscarf at the Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, South Korea are now left facing possible elimination having lost their first two matches.

In other games, World Cup co-hosts New Zealand suffered group-stage elimination with a goalless draw against Switzerland in Dunedin.

Jitka Klimkova’s side slipped from the second spot in Group A due to an inferior goal difference when compared to that of Norway — who joined Switzerland in qualifying for the round of 16 in the group after pummeling the Philippines 6-0 in their final pool match.

Linda Caicedo, an 18-year-old ovarian cancer survivor, who led Colombia to a 2-0 win over Korea Republic, also netted in the Angelo Marsiglia’s ladies’ 2-1 win over Germany.

Manuela Vanegas restored Colombia’s lead after Germany’s Alexandra Popp scored the equaliser from the spot in the 89th minute.

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