Germany were eliminated from the Women’s World Cup group stage on Thursday after a stalemate with South Korea, with debutants Morocco continuing instead.
Germany’s 1-1 draw with Korea, combined with Morocco’s unexpected 1-0 victory over Colombia, resulted in the European team’s earliest exit in Women’s World Cup history.
Germany follow Brazil and Italy out of the competition in double-quick time.
Colombia topped Group H despite losing and will face Jamaica in the last 16.
Morocco advanced to the knockout stages for their World Cup debut, as well, with two wins and a loss, and will face France next. Germany finished third and was forced to return home early.
Germany came into the game in front of little under 39,000 people in Brisbane knowing that a win over South Korea would place them in the last 16.
But they got off to a poor start, surrendering to a smart Cho So-hyun finish after only six minutes and appearing wobbly at the back.
Colin Bell’s South Korea looked nothing like the team that lost 2-0 to Colombia and 1-0 to Morocco.
Germany equalised just before half-time with an Alexandra Popp header but for all their possession, last year’s European finalists failed to get the second goal they desperately needed.
Popp thought she had won it in the second half with another fierce header, but it was ruled out by VAR for off-side.
Sydney Lohmann’s effort went just over deep in stoppage time and Germany now needed a favour from Colombia.
A draw would have been enough for Germany had Morocco not sprung a surprise of their own in Perth.
Anissa Lahmari’s goal in first-half stoppage time, after captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty kick was spectacularly saved, won it for Morocco.
With the Morocco game ending slightly before events in Brisbane, the Atlas Lionesses faced an anxious wait.
When Germany’s fate was sealed the Moroccan players went wild on the pitch.
The Koreans finished bottom of the group with one point but at least salvaged some pride.
Wide open
This is a World Cup that looks wide open.
The United States are into the knockout rounds and a date with third-ranked Sweden on Sunday, but the Americans have looked nothing like a team capable of winning a third World Cup in a row.
They scraped through with a 0-0 draw against tournament debutants Portugal, the Portuguese striking the post in injury time — a goal would have sent the US home.
European champions England now look the team to beat.
They were billed as the biggest threat to the US before the event, and despite a shaky start, they smashed China 6-1 to advance in style.
Sarina Wiegman’s team will face Nigeria, who, along with South Africa, Jamaica, and Morocco, surprised everyone by making it out of the group stage.
On Wednesday, South Africa eliminated Italy with an injury-time winner, and the next evening, Jamaica defeated Brazil 0-0 to ruin the South Americans’ aspirations.
The knockout rounds begin on Saturday, when Japan takes on Norway and Spain, who was blasted 4-0 by Japan the previous time they met, takes on Switzerland.