Fifa Women’s World Cup: Morocco stun South Korea to claim first ever win at tournament
- African side made an early breakthrough with their first World Cup goal in the sixth minute from striker Ibtissam Jraidi
- Korea coach Colin Bell baffled by side’s performance, which leaves them in danger of missing knockout stage
Debutantes Morocco claimed their first victory at a Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea in their second Group H encounter on Sunday, all but confirming the Asian side’s exit.
Morocco are 55 rungs below South Korea in the women’s rankings, but the African side made an early breakthrough with their first World Cup goal in the sixth minute from striker Ibtissam Jraidi.
Hanane Ait El Haj whipped in a cross from the right and Jraidi dived forward to make contact with a deft glancing header that went in at the far post.
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.
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.