The excitement of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continued on Tuesday as France displayed their prowess, cruising to a commanding 4-0 win over Morocco in the round of 16 clash at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, Australia.
Right from the onset, France showcased their attacking intent by netting three goals within the early stages of the first half. Continuing her remarkable form from the group stage finale, forward Kadidiatou Diani initiated the scoring with a goal in the 15th minute. The momentum kept building as Kenza Dali extended the lead in the 20th minute, followed swiftly by Eugénie Le Sommer finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute.
The second half saw no respite for Morocco, as Eugénie Le Sommer secured her brace, sealing the win for France and dashing Morocco’s remarkable journey into the knockout round.
Looking ahead, France’s next challenge will be against the host nation, Australia. The Matildas, who triumphed over Denmark in their round of 16 fixture, will be boosted by the return of star player Sam Kerr. The highly anticipated quarterfinal clash between France and Australia is scheduled for 3 a.m. on Saturday and will be broadcasted on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
Match Highlights:
77′: Diani’s Near Miss
Diani came tantalizingly close to securing her second goal of the match and her fifth goal over the past two games. Positioned perfectly for a cross following a set piece, she unleashed a shot from just yards away from the net, only to see it sail wide, maintaining the score at 4-0.
70′: Le Sommer Strikes Again
In the second half, after a relatively quiet start, Le Sommer showcased her prowess once more by notching her second goal of the night. Positioned at the back post, she met Vicki Bècho’s precise cross with a powerful header, solidifying her double on the score sheet.
67′: Goalkeeper’s Decisive Move
Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin had limited involvement in the early stages of the match, but she demonstrated her expertise when it counted. She made a crucial catch from a corner kick, denying Morocco an opportunity to get on the scoreboard.
49′: Morocco’s Aggressive Second Half Start
After a challenging first half, Morocco sensed the urgency to make an impact in the second half. Ibtissam Jraidi came close to an opportunity, maneuvering around the goalkeeper, but struggled to maintain control of the ball.
Halftime: France’s Dominant Display
France exhibited their dominance throughout the first half, stunningly scoring three goals within a span of 10 minutes, setting the stage for a potential quarterfinal showdown against Australia.
41′: France’s Quest for More
As the first half neared its conclusion, France pressed forward in search of further goals. Despite a denied cross, Sandie Toletti’s rebound narrowly missed the target, leaving the score unchanged.
23′: Le Sommer Strikes Again
Eugénie Le Sommer continued to make her presence felt, contributing to France’s scoring spree. In a sequence where Morocco struggled to clear the ball from their own box, Le Sommer capitalized, booting the ball into the net and securing her contribution to the scoreline.
20′: France Doubles the Lead
Following her opening goal, Kadidiatou Diani attracted attention as she advanced into the attacking zone. This created space for Kenza Dali, who took advantage of the opportunity, firing a shot from the top of the box to give France a comfortable 2-0 lead.
15′: France Takes the Lead
Kadidiatou Diani, fresh off her hat trick against Panama, wasted no time in making an impact in Tuesday’s match. Positioned strategically just yards away from the net, she converted Sakina Karchaoui’s well-placed cross into an easy goal, putting France ahead 1-0.
7′: Early Ambition from Diani
Early in the match, French star Kadidiatou Diani exhibited her intent to replicate her previous success. However, Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi was quick to respond and made a crucial stop to deny her ambitions.
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