Germany 6-0 Morocco: Two-time champions sweep aside African debutants in statement win to kick of World Cup campaign
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/07/2023 at 10:46 GMT
Germany showed little mercy to World Cup debutants Morocco, putting the north Africans to the sword with a thumping 6-0 hammering to underline their tournament credentials. Alexandra Popp scored twice to set them on their way while Klara Buhl and Lea Schuller were also on target. Morocco also contributed to their own downfall via a couple of own goals.
Germany's forward #11 Alexandra Popp (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's second goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group H football match between Germany and Morocco at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium,
Image credit: Getty Images
Two-time Women’s World Cup champions Germany got off to a winning start with a comfortable 6-0 win over Morocco.
The pair kicked off their Group H campaigns in Melbourne on Monday, with Morocco making their tournament debut, becoming the first North African side in the tournament in history.
Morocco had not scored in five games before this match, and their lack of cutting edge in front of goal was evident.
Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp had no such problem as she scored two headers in the first half, with Sara Dabritz having a goal ruled out for offside.
In the second half, it took 10 seconds for Klara Bull to add another for Germany and end the game as a contest, and Hanane Ait el Haj’s own goal fewer than 10 minutes later threatened a rout.
Moroccan pair Yasmin Mrabet and Zineb Reedouani somehow combined to send the ball into their own net from a corner to make it five, and Lea Schuller added a sixth.
Germany next play Colombia on Sunday, and Morocco face South Korea on the same day.
Talking point - Germany look ominous
England played Haiti in their opener and they put in a disappointing showing. While the same could be said of Germany in their pre-tournament friendlies, they seem to have found their sharpness already.
They were occasionally caught in defence but up front they were incisive and they have something vital: an in-form goalscorer.
It is early in the tournament but the runners-up in the last European Championships could potentially go one better here.
Player of the match - Alexandra Popp (Germany)
The Wolfsburg forward is one of the most dangerous players in the game and at 32, she boasts plenty of experience of top flight football. Her aerial prowess was the difference in the first half as she settled early nerves and then snuffed out any hopes of a Morocco comeback.
Player ratings
Germany: Frohms 6, Hendrich 6, Huth 6, Popp 8, Dabritz 6, Rauch 6, Leupolz 6, Buhl 7, Magull 7, Brand 6, Doorsoun 6. Subs: Hagel 6, Schueller 6, Freigang 6, Lattwein 6, Anyomi 5.
MoroccoI: Er-Rmichi 5, Redouani 5, Kassi 6, Nakkach 6, Chebbak 6, Tagnaout 6, Lahmari 6, Ait el Haj 5, Ouzraoui 6, Mrabet 5, Ayane 6. Subs: El Chad 6, Amani 6, Jraidi 6, Badri 6, Bouftini 6.
Key events
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Morocco - Popp scores! - Morocco lose the ball in defence, Hendrich fires in a cross into the middle of the box, over the 'keeper, and Popp heads in.
33’ - DABRITZ SCORES! DISALLOWED! - The player lifts the ball over the advancing 'keeper after running onto a through ball down the middle, but the Lyon midfielder is quickly flagged offside.
39’ - GOAL! GERMANY 2-0 MOROCCO - POPP SCORES - Popp makes it two. A corner into the box curling towards the six-yard box, and she sends in a powerful header past the 'keeper.
46’ - GOAL! GERMANY 3-0 MOROCCO - BUHL SCORES - From the restart Morocco lose the ball, Buhl attacks down the left and sends in a cross, Magull hits the post at the near post and Buhl races into the scramble to slot home.
49’ - BUHL HITS THE POST - She almost has two after Magull dummies in an offside position and then fires against the post.
54’ - GOAL! GERMANY 4-0 MOROCCO - AIT EL HAJ - Hanane Ait el Haj reacts under pressure to a glancing header into the box, and she turns the ball into her own net.
79’ - GOAL! GERMANY 5-0 MOROCCO - Mrabet own goal - Another cross, another goal. A corner from the right, the 'keeper punches onto Mrabet, and Popp bundles it over the line. That's now been changed to an Mrabet own goal, but let's see.
90' - GOAL! GERMANY 6-0 MOROCCO - Schuller scores - Germany are 6-0 clear as Schuller fires home.
Key stat
Morocco have failed to score in their last six games.
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