Germany too strong for Morocco
Germany began their Women’s World Cup campaign in style as captain Alexandra Popp scored twice to see off debutants Morocco in Melbourne.
It was a comfortable victory for world number two side Germany, who are heavy favourites to top Group H.
Striker Popp, who was ruled out of the Euro 2022 final through injury, made her mark with two clinical headers in the first half.
Klara Buhl pounced on a rebound shortly after half-time to extend Germany’s lead, before Morocco’s HananeAit el Haj and Yasmin Mrabet poked into their own net on separate occasions.
Germany continued to cause problems and completed the rout when substitute Lea Schuller added a sixth, firing it into an empty net after a swift counter-attack on the right.
It was a strong performance from Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side as they created numerous chances and looked sharp going forward, hitting the woodwork on two occasions and having a
goal ruled out for offside.
Despite missing key players like Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering through injury, Germany maintained their impressive record in the group stages of the competition, losing only once in 25 matches.
Morocco, one of eight teams making their World Cup debut this year, were dangerous in flashes, but they lacked the clinical touch that Germany’s Popp provided at the other end.
They were ruthless in attack and it was talismanic striker Popp who delivered the early goals in the first half which allowed them to play with creativity and flair as the game wore on.
She was gifted a free header when Morocco goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi, missed a cross from Kathrin Hendrich, and later connected with a corner to make it 2-0.
Popp joins the USA’s Sophia Smith and Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa as the only players to score twice in their opening games, and she went off to applause from travelling fans in the stands with 10 minutes remaining.
Germany face Colombia in their second group game in a strong position, while Morocco face South Korea next, hoping to pick up their first points at a Women’s World Cup. —BBC
