🏆 Two-time winners Germany latest big name to exit World Cup | OneFootball

Germany were eliminated from the Women’s World Cup at the group stage on Thursday on a dramatic day of action.

Germany join big guns in another early exit

Scorers: Cho 5′; Popp 42′

Germany became the latest big name casualty at the World Cup as a draw against South Korea saw them sent packing at the group stage.

After Merle Frohms made a big early save to keep things level, Germany failed to heed that warning and when Cho So-hyun beat the offside trap to race in on goal again, this time the Wolfsburg goalkeeper was left helpless as South Korea raced into an early lead.

It was their first goal of the tournament and buoyed by it, they largely had the better of the remainder of the first half as the European Championship runners-up toiled in their quest to create significant openings until they resorted to a tried and trusted tactic to equalise shortly before half-time.

That, of course, being a cross for the towering Alexandra Popp, who arched her header into the corner and put Germany on level terms.

However, aware of their need for a goal after news of Morocco’s go-ahead strike filtered through to Brisbane, they started the second half in fierce pursuit of it, firstly having a Popp goal disallowed for offside before the striker rattled the crossbar with another header.

She went close again with another aerial attempt before Giulia Gwinn missed a gilt-edged chance to put her side ahead but South Korea held firm despite late pressure to dump Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side out.

They join Brazil, Italy, Canada, China and Argentina as another illustrious name who won’t make up the knockout phase and is the first time in competition history they’ve failed to make it past the first round.

Morocco advance in first World Cup

Scorers: Lahmari 45+4′

Reaping the rewards of Germany’s exit were Morocco, whose narrow win over Colombia saw them pip the side who beat them 6-0 just last week to second place.

Morocco put the cat among the pigeons in a big way in the group when, shortly after Germany had equalised against South Korea, they took the lead deep into first half stoppage time to put themselves back in the box seat for qualification.

Anissa Lahmari netted from close range after Ghizlane Chebbak had her penalty kick saved but the resulting loose ball was cut back for the striker to move her side back into second place, where they stayed as a result of South Korea being held.

Colombia did almost deny the Atlas Lionesses at the death but Mayra Ramírez saw her effort come back off the post for a goal that would have saved Germany.

Morocco’s reward for their heroics at their first World Cup is a clash with France in the last 16, while group winners Colombia will face Jamaica.