Morocco beat Colombia to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup

The Moroccans, ranked 72nd, scored thanks to a toepoke from Anissa Lahmari after a penalty was saved at the end of the first half, but their passage was only assured after South Korea held two-time champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in the other Group H match.

Colombia topped the group with six points, ahead of runners-up Morocco on goal difference, while Germany and South Korea bowed out of the tournament.

Morocco, who were thrashed 6-0 by Germany in their opening game before beating South Korea 1-0, meet France in Adelaide and Colombia play Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Both teams created chances in the first half, but it was not until stoppage time, when Colombia’s Daniela Arias clumsily fouled striker Ibtissam Jraidi in the penalty area, that Morocco had a real chance.

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Las Cafeteras goalkeeper Catalina Perez dived to her left to save Ghizlane Chebbak’s penalty kick, but midfielder Lahmari pushed the ball into the back of the net in the ensuing melee.

After the break, Colombia dominated play in search of an equaliser, Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya Durango getting off the mark in the 59th minute.

The Moroccan goalkeeper