FRANCE thrashed Morocco 4-0 in their round of 16 clash in Adelaide, Australia today to end Africa’s participation in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Atlas Lionesses were Africa’s only team left in the tournament after Nigeria’s penalty shootout defeat to England yesterday, but they put up little resistance as France cruised to the quarter-finals.
Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice for the European side to eliminate Morocco, who had made history by reaching the round of 16 on their Women’s World Cup debut.
Goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put France 3-0 ahead at half-time, with Le Sommer completing her brace after 70 minutes.
France will face Australia in the quarter-finals in Brisbane on Saturday.
Morocco had been hoping to become the first African side to win a knockout match at the Women’s World Cup after becoming the first team from the Arab world to qualify for the competition.
France’s best run at a Women’s World Cup was reaching the semi-finals in 2011, and they have now reached the quarter-finals in each of the last four editions.
In the other round of 16 clash earlier today, Colombia defeated Jamaica 1-0 in Melbourne to reach their first-ever quarter-final.
Maria Catalina Usme scored the game’s only goal six minutes into the second half to set up a last-eight encounter with England in Sydney, Australia on Saturday.
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