The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The World Cup debutants secured a 1-0 victory by the narrowest of margins in only their second-ever Women’s World Cup match and left South Korea on the brink of elimination in the process.
Ibtissam Jraidi’s sixth-minute header proved to be enough in the end, as the Lionesses of Atlas held on for dear life in a second half dominated by South Korea.
The Taegeuk ladies struggled to break down Morocco in the final third, with Cho So-Hyun and the youngest ever player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, 16-year-old Casey Phair firing wide from close range with their best chances, while Morocco also went close through Nouhaila Benzina and Rosella Ayane at the start and end of the half.
It finished 1-0 though, with Morocco teeing up a crucial final match against Colombia, and South Korea hoping Germany slip up in their next group match in order to avoid being dumped out of the World Cup.
Morocco’s 1-0 win gives them their first World Cup points and all three at that.
With Colombia picking a 2-1 stunning win over two times World champions, Germany, Group H is wide open.
