France ends Morocco’s run and advances to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup

The Moroccans became the first Arab nation to advance to the knockout stage.

The Atlas Lions were the first Arab team to register a win in the competition by beating South Korea in the group stage. They followed that by upsetting group winner Colombia to advance to the round of 16 at the expense of No. 2-ranked Germany.

But overcoming France, one of the tournament favorites, was a step too far for Reynald Pedros’ team.

Diani opened the scoring in the 15th minute when left unmarked in front of goal to head in Sakina Karchaoui’s cross from the left.

It was Diani’s fourth goal of the tournament after her hat trick in France’s 6-3 win over Panama in its final Group F match.

Dali scored five minutes later after Diani cut back from the right. Dali struck a first-time shot low into the corner to beat Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi.

And France was 3-0 up when Diani blocked the attempted clearance of Nesryne El Chad into the path of Le Sommer to convert.

Le Sommer got a second goal when heading in at the far post from Vicki Becho’s looping cross with 20 minutes left in regulation.

France lost a friendly to Australia leading into the tournament. The teams will meet again after the Matildas advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Denmark. Star striker Sam Kerr returned from calf injury to make her first appearance at this World Cup as a second-half substitute against the Danes.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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More AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

France ends Morocco’s run and advances to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup

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