Morocco’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup were ended by defending champions North Korea, who beat the hosts 6-0 in the Round of 16.
Played on Wednesday at pitch 2 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale, the match saw North Korea take control from the outset and secure a convincing victory.
The Asian side scored four times before half-time, exposing Morocco’s difficulties in containing their attacking threat. The result left the hosts with a substantial deficit to overcome after the opening 45 minutes.
North Korea continued to apply pressure following the interval and added two more goals to complete the win. The result sends them into the quarter-finals and keeps their bid to retain the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title on course.
Morocco had reached the knockout stage after finishing their Group A campaign as one of the best third-placed teams. Their route to the last 16 included victories over New Zealand and Argentina during a challenging group phase.
That progress gave the young Moroccan side the opportunity to continue their tournament on home soil and in front of their supporters. However, they faced a formidable opponent in a North Korean team that had already demonstrated its strength in the group stage.
North Korea finished top of Group B with nine points, securing a perfect points tally and entering the last-16 tie with a strong record. Their performance against Morocco reflected that form, as they established a commanding lead before the break and maintained their authority throughout the second half.
The hosts were unable to reduce the deficit after half-time, while North Korea’s two further goals confirmed Morocco’s elimination from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory underlined North Korea’s status as one of the leading teams in the competition. They will now prepare for the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of another world title.
For Morocco, the defeat brings an end to a campaign in which the Atlas Lionesses progressed beyond the group stage and competed in the knockout rounds of a major tournament on home soil.