Day 11 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opened with Morocco facing off against Korea Republic, followed by Norway taking on the Philippines at the same time Switzerland went up against New Zealand. The day finished with Germany facing off against Colombia.
Couldn’t watch and need to know what the big story is? This is what happened on the tenth day of the World Cup.
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Your bite-sized recap of Day 11 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup
South Korea 0, Morocco 1
The Big Story: This match was historical in many ways for Morocco. The debutants scored their first ever goal in a World Cup to earn their first ever World Cup win, becoming the first Arab nation to win a Women’s World Cup match. And in a moment bigger than the sport, Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab in a World Cup match.
The Big Moment: Ranked 72nd in the World by FIFA, Morocco pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating the 17th ranked Korea Republic with an early sixth minute goal. They took advantage of their early pressure when Salma Amani’s cross was deftly headed into the side-netting by the diving Ibtissam Jraidi for their nation’s first-ever goal at the global finals.
THE ATLAS LIONESSES TAKE THE LEAD!
MOROCCO SCORES ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP GOAL
pic.twitter.com/loGufGTDRh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
MOROCCO SCORES ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP GOAL
pic.twitter.com/loGufGTDRh— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
What it means: This second loss in a row means South Korea are on the verge of being eliminated as Germany only need to avoid defeat against Colombia to destroy any chance the Koreans have of advancing out of Group H. It’s a disappointing result for the team that held 63% possession and had 16 shots. They key stat however is that not a single shot was on target.
Korea Republic’s head coach Colin Bell told media after the match that “the reality is we were not good enough in both games… The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.”
The second-half was almost entirely controlled by the eventual losers as they desperately tried to find an equalizer. Casey Phair, the 16-year-old phenom, had their best chance of the half and showed good composure to get her shot off near the penalty spot but her effort went just wide. Now Bell’s team have to hope for some help from Colombia.
” — Equalizer Soccer" src="https://equalizersoccer.com/2022/07/14/how-morocco-turned-womens-football-investment-into-historic-world-cup-berth-qualified-analysis/embed/#?secret=EVeoJXzDkp" data-secret="EVeoJXzDkp" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no">
Morocco on the other hand will be pleased with holding their opponents without a shot on target and preserving the shutout. If there is one thing for them to work on it is taking advantage of their several counterattack opportunities that broke down in the vital moments.
– Bella Munson
Switzerland 0, New Zealand 0
The Big Story: Switzerland advances to the knockout stage while New Zealand becomes the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage of a Women’s World Cup.
The Big Moment: Up until the final whistle blew the Football Ferns were pushing for a goal to win them the game and keep their tournament going, but alas it was too little too late and their World Cup came to an end. Captain Ali Riley spoke after the match about how proud she is of her team and the inspiration they hope they’ve brought to people throughout the nation.
"I really think that we've inspired the country, I hope that little girls across New Zealand and the world now will start playing the sport and feel like they can achieve whatever they put their mind to."@RileyThree checks in after New Zealand's final game 
pic.twitter.com/A0jhveZCQx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
pic.twitter.com/A0jhveZCQx— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
What it means: Switzerland only had to avoid a loss to advance out of Group A and they did just that. They offered very little offensively but they played sound defensively, playing conservatively and making themselves difficult to breakdown. They only took three shots total but they didn’t need to score as long as the Football Ferns didn’t score.
As first place finishers Switzerland will take on either Japan or Spain, whichever finishes second, in the Round of 16. Their tight defense should serve them well against either team, as both love to move their opposition around with their passing, but they may need to actually create some offense to advance any further.
Buoyed by a strong home crowd, New Zealand played confident early on, putting their opponents under pressure and being unlucky not to score in those first 30 minutes. Their best chance of the game came in the 24th minute when Jacqui Hand’s effort hit the post.
New Zealand was this close to taking the lead 
pic.twitter.com/1zOLusALut
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
pic.twitter.com/1zOLusALut— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
It is a disappointing result for the co-hosts who, for the most part, put in a strong performance. They held strong defensively to preserve the clean sheet and had 12 shots with three on target. But they needed to win and unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net.
– Bella Munson
Norway 6, Philippines 0
The Big Story: The Philippines’ Cinderella story came to an end in Auckland with a dominant Norway victory Sunday night. Norway finally found their groove and scored six goals, clinching their spot in the knockout round regardless of the outcome of the other Group A match, ultimately finishing second.
The Big Moment: Norway scored their first goal of this World Cup on an incredible volley by Sophie Román Haug, who would go on to complete a hat trick on the night.
NORWAY TAKES THE LEAD 
What a finish
pic.twitter.com/czvxhA35gM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
What a finish
pic.twitter.com/czvxhA35gM— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
What it means: Norway had struggled coming into their final group match, the European side needed a two goal or more win to ensure they move onto the knockout round. Debutant Philippines could advance with a win while a tie would mean they needed a New Zealand loss.
Norway’s energy from the start of the match felt very different than their previous matches, controlling possession and really building comprehensive attacks through the midfield into the final third. With star Ada Hegerberg still out, Sophie Román Haug—who got the nod after Hegerberg’s late scratch last match—fully stepped into the role and scored a hat trick for Norway.
Another deep cross from the right and another Sophie Román Haug goal, this time from her head!
Norway is taking full command in Auckland pic.twitter.com/Ze61z00gi2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Norway is taking full command in Auckland
pic.twitter.com/Ze61z00gi2— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Norway didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half, continuing to add to their goal tally. The match went from bad to worse when in the 68th minute Philippines attacker Sofia Harrison received a red card for a dangerous challenge on Thea Bjelde and they had to finish the match with 10.
For the Philippines, the fact that they held Norway scoreless from the 53rd minute until late in stoppage–during the majority of which they were a person down–was a good adjustment. Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel had six saves on the night, keeping the scoreline from being any worse.
Norway is looking for more 
Norway nearly has a sixth goal but Olivia McDaniel keeps it out pic.twitter.com/d7AEEa3u91
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Norway nearly has a sixth goal but Olivia McDaniel keeps it out pic.twitter.com/d7AEEa3u91
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
This Philippines team will still be remembered for scoring the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal and earning its first-ever victory in their debut World Cup.
” — Equalizer Soccer" src="https://equalizersoccer.com/2023/07/29/philippines-womens-world-cup-must-see-tv-mall-viewings/embed/#?secret=1J7QBXQSfc" data-secret="1J7QBXQSfc" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no">
The Grasshoppers truly played their best football of the tournament so far in their final group stage match. This was crucial because their knockout round matchup will be either Japan or Spain, both of whom have looked very dangerous the entirety of the group play.
– Taylor Vincent
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