Women’s World Cup Preview: France vs. Morocco Women
France Women and Morocco Women will battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup 2023 when the two nations face at the Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.
The Europeans topped their group after collecting seven points, while Morocco advanced to the knockout rounds at the expense of Germany.
After being held to a frustrating goalless draw against Jamaica, France upped the ante in their second group game against Brazil to claim a crucial 2-1 victory.
They went on to record an entertaining 6-3 win over Panama in their final group match thanks to a Kadidiatou Diani hat-trick as well as goals from Maelle Lakrar, Lea Le Garrec and Vicki Becho.
While Herve Renard was disappointed to ship three goals, he would have been pleased to see his side advance to the last 16 as group winners.
After reaching the semi-finals of last year’s European Championships, France are hoping to go deep into another major tournament, and they have the chance on Tuesday to reach the quarter-final stage for the fourth consecutive Women’s World Cup.
They will certainly head into the knockout round off the back of a fine run of results, having lost just one of their last 11 internationals.
Morocco would have been bracing themselves for a difficult tournament after beginning their first Women’s World Cup with a heavy 6-0 defeat to Germany.
However, the Lionesses of Atlas picked themselves up and restored confidence with a narrow 1-0 win over South Korea on Matchday Two.
They entered the final group game against Colombia in third place, and they knew that even if they claimed all three points they would need a favour from South Korea.
Anissa Lahmari’s effort in first-half stoppage time proved enough to guide Morocco to a 1-0 victory, while South Korea held the Euro 2022 finalists to a 1-1 draw, ensuring that the Lionesses of Atlas advanced to the last 16 and Germany suffered a surprise exit.
Morocco will be hoping that an unforgettable tournament has at least one chapter left to be written, as they bid to eliminate a French side that sit 67 places above them in the FIFA World Rankings.
France Women Women’s World Cup form:
DWW
Morocco Women Women’s World Cup form:
LWW
Team News
After being rested for the final group game, France captain Wendie Renard and the country’s all-time leading scorer Eugenie Le Sommer are expected to return to the lineup.
Herve Renard also decided to leave Sakina Karchaoui, Sandie Toletti and Kenza Dali on the bench against Panama, with the trio one yellow card away from suspension.
Maelle Lakrar has played every minute of the tournament, but the defender is a doubt for Tuesday’s contest due to a thigh issue.
As for their opponents, Morocco head coach Reynald Pedros could be tempted to select the same lineup that started the win over Colombia.
Nesrryne El Chad will feature in central defence alongside Nouhaila Ben Zina, while Hanane Ait El Haj and Zineb Redouani are set to feature as the two full-backs.
Ibtissam Jraidi and Lahmari have both scored a goal apiece at the tournament, and the forward pairing will be looking to add to their tallies in Tuesday’s last-16 tie.
France Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Lakrar, Renard, Karchaoui; Toletti, Geyoro, Dali; Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer
Morocco Women possible starting lineup:
Errmichi; El Haj, El Chad, Ben Zina, Redouani; Ouzraoui, Nakkach, Chebbak, Tagnaout; Jraidi, Lahmari
Prediction
France 3-0 Morocco
