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Early in the morning here in the United States and late at night over in Australia, incredible, tear-jerking scenes unfolded in Perth as Morocco became the first Arab nation to ever advance to the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They’re also the lowest-ranked team to ever make it out of the group stage.
Needing some help from South Korea in order to advance, the Moroccan team found themselves on the pitch after their game had ended, keeping up with the score in the Korea/Germany matchup.
Once it was confirmed that the two sides had tied and Morocco would advance, wildly emotional scenes began to unfold, the type which only sports can provide.
MOROCCO'S REACTION TO SEEING THE FINAL RESULT OF GERMANY-SOUTH KOREA 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/fvLPAfwFNh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout high-fives supporters after clinching a spot in the knockout stage 🙏🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/FprLubgN22
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
You're going to want the sound up on this one 🔊🆙
Listen to the Arabic call of the moment Morocco learned it was in the Knockout Stage 🇲🇦
(via BEIN Sports MENA) pic.twitter.com/DbZa4rG5D7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
As a result of their advancement to the Round of 16, the Morocco Women’s National Team will next take on France on Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. EST.
The other teams to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup are Jamaica, Nigeria, England, France, Denmark, Australia, Sweden, Japan, Colombia, Norway, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has been full of shocking results thus far, as powerhouse nations such as Brazil and Germany were sent home after the group stage, while the likes of Jamaica (the first Caribbean nation to advance to Round of 16) and Morocco are making history by advancing.
As for the United States Women’s National Team, they’ll be taking on Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday, August 6 at 5 a.m.