Germany opened their campaign with a comprehensive 6-0 win over the newcomers, with Alexandra Popp scoring twice.
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Outstanding performance reinforces Germany’s title credentials
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Popp claims a brace, Buhl a goal and an assist
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Colombia-Korea Republic play on Tuesday in this section
Germany 6-0 Morocco | Group H
Goalscorers: Popp (11′, 39′), Buhl (46′), Ait El Haj og (54′), Mrabet og (79′), Schuller (90′)
Alexandra Popp struck twice as Germany made an impressive start to their Australia & New Zealand 2023 campaign with the tournament’s biggest win thus far.
The two-time champions had only lost one of their previous 24 group-stage matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, and debutantes Morocco never looked like doubling that meagre tally.
They fell behind as early as the 11th minute, when Germany’s energetic high press forced the Atlas Lionesses to surrender possession in their own defensive third. There was still plenty of work to do but Kathrin Hendrich and Popp did it with aplomb, with a tantalising cross from the former bulleted home by a perfectly timed header from the latter.
Few players at this tournament are more dangerous in the air than Popp, and the Germany captain underlined her aerial prowess with another excellent goal later in the half. Again, the service was impeccable, but the veteran striker still needed to show strength and agility to twist her body to glance in Klara Buhl’s inswinging corner.
Buhl went from provider to scorer in the opening minute of the second half, following up to fire home emphatically after another of her superb crosses had caused havoc in the Atlas Lionesses’ defence.
Salt was then applied to Moroccan wounds as Germany tightened their grip, with two scruffy own goals – courtesy of the unfortunate Hanane Ait Al Haj and Yasmin Mrabet – followed by a late Lea Schuller strike.
The European giants now hold a commanding lead at the top of Group H ahead of Tuesday’s meeting between the section’s other two teams, Colombia and Korea Republic.
Key stat
Alexandra Popp seems to have it in for African nations. The Germany captain has now scored five FIFA Women’s World Cup goals, and every one of them has come against teams from the Mother Continent (Côte d’Ivoire in 2015, South Africa and Nigeria in 2019 and Morocco (2) in 2023).
VISA Player of the Match
Alexandra Popp (Germany)
Quotes
“We’re super happy we were able to play like this in our opening match. It’s always difficult because you don’t really know where you stand or how your opponent will play. But we were able to impose our game. To have this kind of atmosphere in a stadium like this, that’s what a World Cup is al about. It pushes you, the fans carry you. It’s so fun to play football like this.”
Alexandra Popp, Germany captain
fifa.com
