Photo Cred: FIFA
The final group stages for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup wrap up today, August 3, as the tournament transitions to the knockout stages. Here are the results of the final group matches in Group H.
Group H kicked off at 11 am Irish Standard time (IST) with matches between Colombia v Morocco and Germany v South Korea.
Group H
- Colombia
- Morocco
- Germany
- South Korea
Going into the last games, Colombia was guaranteed to advance no matter the outcome of their game, as they were the leader of their group with 6 points and a goal differential lead over their competitors.
Both Germany and Morocco had 3 points going into the game, with Germany having more goals. However, both teams had equal chances of advancing or being knocked out.
Germany could advance if they beat South Korea, or if they tied South Korea if Morocco lost to Colombia.
Germany, who had lost their last match to Colombia, was predicted to have an easy win over South Korea, who had no chance of advancing onward after losing both their previous games.
⚽️ @AlexPopp11 has now scored in every #FIFAWWC 2023 group stage match! pic.twitter.com/1w3nB9mely
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023
However, Midfielder Cho So-hyun scored a goal in the 6th minute after midfielder Lee Young-ju sent a through ball, claiming a point for South Korea.
In the 42’ after many attempted attacks on goal, German player, Alexandra Popp, scored an equalizer goal with a smashing header.
In the 57’ Popp returns with another attack on goal, scoring, and putting Germany up 2-1. However, the goal was disallowed for Popp being offside. The score remained 1-1.
Germany continued with multiple attempts to score, but were unable to complete the play.
Because Morocco beat Colombia, earning three points and bringing their score to six points, whereas Germany only had four from the tie, Germany was out of the Women’s World Cup.
This was the first time in all of Germany’s nine appearances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup where Germany failed to advance past group stage.
This game was also South Korea’s third time in their FIFA Women’s World Cup history where they did not lose a game.
Colombia played Morocco, with Morocco having a chance to advance if they tied Colombia and Germany lost, or beat Morocco with Germany tying South Korea.
This game was the first time Morocco faced a South American team in the competition and the first time that Colombia have played against an African team.
In the 45+4’ Morrocan captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, took a penalty kick on behalf of Ibtissam Jraïdi, however, she missed the shot.
Stiker, Anissa Lamar, in the rebound from the missed penalty, shot and scored a goal in the 45+4'. It was the only goal of the game.
Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas got a yellow card in the 51’ which is her second in the tournament. She will miss the round of 16.
Ghizlane Chebbak also revived a yellow card in the 90+11’ for time wasting from the free kick.
The game ended a minute later in 90+12’ with Morocco winning the game and moving on to the round of 16 for the first time ever in Moroccan Women’s World Cup history.
Game changers.
History makers. pic.twitter.com/vcXg5MVWqb— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023
Here are the teams moving on to the Final 16: Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, South Africa, Japan, Norway, Sweden, United States, England, Nigeria, Colombia, Jamaica, Australia, Denmark and France.
The first two games are Saturday August 5, with games at 6am, between Switzerland and Spain, and 9am, between the Netherlands and South Africa IST.
