(Melbourne) Germany, 2022 European vice-champions, made an impression by beating Morocco 6-0 with a brace from Alexandra Popp, and took the lead in Group H at the World Cup.
With this sensational entry into the running in Melbourne, the Germans, impressive in their ease and efficiency, are more than ever the favorites of this World Cup.
Particularly in view of the inaugural matches of the other strongholds of women’s soccer (Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway) which were mistreated at the start of the competition.
Thanks to the biggest success since the start of the tournament, they take the lead of their group, before South Korea’s match against Colombia in Sydney on Tuesday.
A demonstration: it only took 11 minutes for them to open the scoring, thanks to a header from the inevitable striker Alexandra Popp (32). The attacking star, deprived of the Euro 2022 final due to injury, doubled the bet with a second header from a corner (39th). The Wolfsburg player scored her 63rd and 64th national goals.
“We’re super happy that we got to play like that in our opener. It’s always difficult because you don’t really know where you are or how your opponent will play,” Popp reacted after the game, “but we were able to impose our game”.
“Having that kind of atmosphere in a stadium like this is what a World Cup is. It pushes you, the fans carry you,” she continued.
Barely back from the locker room, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s players, despite being deprived of defender Marina Hegering and especially midfielder Lena Oberdorf, easily continued: thanks to a surplus in the Moroccan area, Klara Bühl deceived the opposing goalkeeper with a low shot (46th).
Very close to reducing the gap by Lahmari – goal disallowed for offside – the players of Reynald Pedros, vice-champions of Africa, conceded a fourth goal, one against his side (54th), before a second CSC (78th). Bayern Munich midfielder Léa Schüller finished the festival (90th).
“Today we faced a team that was superior. It was David and Goliath,” commented French Morocco coach Reynald Pedros, “They had something we didn’t. But we remain positive and hold our heads up high. »
World champions in 2003 and 2007, the Germans, stung in preparation, defeated by Zambia (3-2), are revengeful. Beaten in the final of the Euro in England last summer, they want to strike a blow, 16 years after their last world title.
