Morocco vs Colombia – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Morocco vs Colombia on and what time does it start? Morocco vs Colombia will take place on Thursday 3rd August, 2023 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is Morocco vs Colombia taking place? Morocco vs Colombia will take place at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Where can I get tickets for Morocco vs Colombia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Morocco vs Colombia
What channel is Morocco vs Colombia on in the UK? Morocco vs Colombia will be televised live on the BBC Red Button
Where can I stream Morocco vs Colombia in the UK? Morocco vs Colombia can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
MOROCCO
- Morocco head into this final round of group games still in the hunt for a top two spot in Group H, but to give themselves the chance of making it they’ll need to beat Colombia with their poor goal difference currently proving a big handicap.
- They opened the scoring early on against South Korea and whilst they’ll have been frustrated not to add to their tally, keeping a clean sheet must be pleasing and the three points keeps them within reach of both opponents Colombia and Germany.
COLOMBIA
- Colombia were well on their way to a fantastic point against Germany on Sunday, but they weren’t willing to settle for that after gaining a corner deep into second-half stoppage time, Manuela Vanegas rising highest to head home a dramatic winner and send her country into raptures.
- That victory maintains Colombia’s 100% record in Group H and sees them currently top the group with six points from a possible six, only four other nations had the same total after two rounds of group games (Japan, Spain, England, Sweden).
THE TEAM NEWS
MOROCCO
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Er-Rmichi; El Haj, El Chad, Benzina, Redouani; Ouzraoui, Nakkach, Chebbak, Tagnaout; Amani; Jraidi
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COLOMBIA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Perez; C. Arias, Ramos, D. Arias, Vanegas; Montoya, Bedoya; Andrade, Usme, Caicedo; Ramirez
UNAVAILABLE: Carabali (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Morocco are aiming to qualify for the knockout phase in their debut FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.
- When they defeated Korea Republic, Morocco became just the fourth representative from CAF to win a FIFA Women’s World Cup match after Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana. They are the first Arab team to win a match in tournament history.
- Morocco’s sixth-minute goal against Korea Republic was the third fastest goal scored by an African team in FIFA Women's World Cup history following Nigeria’s second-minute goal against the USA in 1999 and Côte d'Ivoire’s fourth-minute goal against Thailand in 2015.
- Colombia’s total of six points is already their highest total in a FIFA Women’s World Cup group, beating their tally of four points in 2015.
- Colombia have won successive matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
- Colombia have won three and drawn two of their last six FIFA Women's World Cup group stage matches (W3 D2 L1).
THE PREDICTION
Morocco know that the onus is on them to come out and take the game to Colombia with a draw almost certainly knocking them out. With that in mind, you’d expect a largely attacking style of play from them, with more and more risks being taken when it comes to pushing bodies forward the longer this match goes on. However, whilst this may see them afforded success in-front of goal, they face a Colombian side who have racked up two goals in each of their two Group H fixtures so far and it’s hard to see this Moroccan backline keeping them out over the course of 90 minutes. Regardless of the final outcome, back both teams to score.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
