Women’s World Cup: France end Morocco dream to cruise into quarters
Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice as France cruised into the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, thrashing Morocco to end the African side’s dream run.
Goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali and Le Sommer put France 3-0 ahead at half-time in Adelaide, with Le Sommer adding her second after 70 minutes.
France will now face Australia in the last eight in Brisbane on Saturday.
Morocco had been hoping to become the first African side to win a knockout match at the Women’s World Cup.
Morocco’s dream run ends
Morocco – the first Arab nation to compete at the finals – claimed a shock second place in Group H ahead of two-time winners Germany, who had beaten them 6-0 in their opening game
A second upset against unbeaten France though was a step too far.
The team fell apart defensively as the more experienced side scored their first three goals across eight first-half minutes.
Morocco’s best chance fell just after the restart when Ibtissam Jraidi motored through on goal, but she was quickly smothered by France stopper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
