Women’s World Cup: When Morocco Discovered They Reached Round of 16, Video

• Morocco reached the last 16 of the Women's World Cup in their debut appearance
• The Atlas Lionesses beat Colombia in their final group stage game to achieve the feat
• Morocco's victory saw Germany exit in the first round for the first time in their history

Morocco secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Colombia, propelling them to the last 16 of the 2023 FIFA World Cup at the expense of Germany.

This remarkable milestone was achieved on the Atlas Lionesses' debut appearance at the Mundial, surpassing the two-time world champions to qualify for the knockout stage.

Heading into their final group match against group leaders, Colombia, Morocco faced a precarious situation, relying on favourable outcomes from the concurrent South Korea versus Germany game.

Seizing control of their fate, Reynald Pedros' team took charge when Anissa Lahmari scored just before half-time, putting the 2023 Africa Women's Cup of Nations runners-up in the lead and on the verge of reaching the knockout phase.

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Meanwhile, Germany found themselves held to a 1-1 draw by the Asians. As the minutes ticked away, Morocco held on tightly to secure their narrow victory, according to TRT Afrika.

Following the end of their game, the North Africans gathered around to monitor the other match closely - and when it ended in a stalemate, their place in the knockout stage was confirmed.

Morocco's joy, Germany's pain

This historic achievement meant that Germany, for the first time in Women's World Cup history, exited the tournament at the group stage, per the Mirror.

The Atlas Lionesses certainly had reason to celebrate as they made their mark on the global stage, with a memorable journey in their first Mundial tournament.

Morocco reach WWC last 16

As Sports Brief also reported, Lahmari's winner powered Morocco past Colombia 1-0 on Thursday and into the World Cup round of 16.

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The Atlas Lionesses' upset in Perth, Australia, lifted them to six points and they finished runners-up in Group H on their goal difference.

On the converse side of the group, Germany were eliminated in the first round after being held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea in Brisbane.

Germany crash out of WWC

Sports Brief also reported on Germany exiting the Women's World Cup in the group stage for the first time in their history on Thursday.

The Europeans played to a frustrating 1-1 draw against South Korea, which allowed debutants, Morocco, to advance to the last 16 instead.

With the North Africans joining the South Americans on six points in Group H, Germany finished third on the table and will head home.