France thump Morocco to set up blockbuster Australia quarter-final at Women’s World Cup
The countries’ record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice, with Kadidatou Diani and Kenza Dali also netting.
Morocco held firm in the early stages but France were relentless in their hunt for an opener and found it through Diani after 15 minutes.
Another two goals in the next eight minutes from Le Sommer and Aston Villa’s Dali put
Harve Ranard’s side in a commanding position before the half-hour mark.
Le Sommer added a fourth in the second half to confirm France’s spot in the quarter-final, where they will play co-hosts Australia.
Morocco defended well, to begin with, but could only put up with so much of France’s non-stop pressure in attack.
Renard’s side were dangerous down both flanks but the first goal came from the left.
Full-back Sakina Karchaoui drove down the touchline before dinking a pinpoint delivery across the six-yard box for Diani – who was completely unmarked – to nod home from close range.
France quickly doubled their advantage with a great move that started with captain Wendie Renard from the back. The Lyon defender found Dali who slipped the ball to Diani on the right. Diani cut inside and returned a pass for Dali, just inside the box, who steered the ball into the far bottom corner.
Les Bleus had the game sewn up three minutes later when Le Sommer made it three. Pressure paid off for Diani who chased down Nesryne El Chad in the box, who looked to have the danger covered, but the striker stole possession before squaring the ball to Le Sommer to finish coolly.
Morocco would have needed a miracle if they were to get back into the game, and they started the second half brightly when Ibtissam Jraidi and Sakina Ouzraoui saw efforts go wide in their first chances of the game.
But any hopes of a comeback were ended when Le Sommer added a fourth in the 70th minute, heading in substitute Vicki Becho’s perfect cross at the back post.
TALKING POINT – FRANCE FAR TOO STRONG FOR MOROCCO
Morocco reaching the World Cup round of 16 is a huge achievement in itself, but they were never going to trouble France at this stage of the tournament. Although we’ve seen some big upsets already with Germany and Brazil exiting at the group stage, another one in Adelaide in this game was always unlikely.
France were sensational going forward and after scoring three goals in eight minutes seemed to take their foot off the gas and gave Morocco a breather. Le Sommer, Diani and Dali excelled and made scoring World Cup knockout goals look easy.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KADIDIATOU DIANI (FRANCE)
With a goal and two assists to her name, it’s hard to look past Diani for the Player of the Match award. Le Sommer grabbed the third and fourth goals but it was Diani involved in the first three to all but confirm France’s spot in the last eight.
She was also the sole reason Le Sommer got her first goal, working hard to dispossess El Chad before setting up her strike partner.
MATCH RATINGS
FRANCE: Peyraud-Magnin 8, Perisset 7, De Almeida 7, Renard 7, Karchaoui 8, Dali 8, Geyoro 7, Toletti 7, Bacha 7, Diani 9, Le Sommer 9
Subs: Tounkara N/A, Cascarino N/A, Asseyi N/A, Feller N/A, Becho 7
MOROCCO: Er-Rmichi 4, Ait El Haj 5, El Chad 4, Benzina 6, Redouani 5, Ouzraoui 6, Nakkach 7, Chebbak 7, Tagnaout 6, Lahmari 6, Jraidi 5
Subs: Kassi 6, Bouftini 6, Ayane 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
15’ – GOAL! FRANCE 1-0 MOROCCO (DIANI): France, again looking dangerous down the left side, get forward through Sakina Karchaoui who dinks a lovely cross on a plate for the completely unmarked Diani to nod in from close-range.
20’ – GOAL! FRANCE 2-0 MOROCCO (DALI): In a move that starts from the back, skipper Renard finds goalscorer Dali who makes space in the middle of the park before she slots a through ball for Diani. The striker darts into the box before cutting back to find Dali just inside the box, who manages to steer the ball into the far bottom corner. What a goal!
23’ – GOAL! FRANCE 3-0 MOROCCO (LE SOMMER): Pressure pays off for Diani who chases down El Chad, who looks like she has the ball covered, but the striker nicks it from her on the goal line before squaring it to Le Sommer who finishes coolly. Morocco started so well in defence, but they’ve been well and truly undone.
70’ – GOAL! FRANCE 4-0 MOROCCO (LE SOMMER): Substitute Vicki Becho delivers a deep cross from the right and Le Sommer is free at the back post to head home! That’s the striker’s third goal this tournament and eighth World Cup goal overall. What a night for France’s record goalscorer!
76’ – DIANI SHOULD HAVE A SECOND! France take a quick free-kick 30 yards from goal which is played to Elisa de Almeida on the right. The defender puts the ball on a plate for Diani who fires over from the edge of the six-yard box.
KEY STATS
- France are the only team to have reached the quarter-finals of every EURO and World Cup in the past 15 years.
- France have scored five headers at the 2023 World Cup, more than any other team.
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