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Rabat – The stage is set for a thrilling clash as Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses and Germany’s national football team gear up for their opening match of the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
Scheduled to take place on Monday, July 24 at 9:30 a.m. Moroccan time at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia, this Group H fixture promises to be a captivating contest between the two sides.
Morocco’s Women’s World Cup campaign gains momentum as they make their first-ever appearance in the tournament, posing a challenge for the Atlas Lionesses as they lock horns with Germany, which arrives at the tournament as a force to be reckoned with.
The German national team has taken part in every edition of the tournament since its inception in 1991, making it one of the powerhouses of women’s football.
In their eight previous World Cup playings, the European squad has reached five semi-finals, been runners-up in the most recent edition of 2019, and won the tournament’s title twice, in 2003 and 2007. The German team also reached the quarter-finals four times.
Germany’s World Cup history and achievements put them ahead of the Moroccan squad, which booked their first ticket to the global stage after defeating Botswana during the quarter-finals of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2022.
Read also: Morocco Unveils Squad List for 2023 Women’s World Cup
After its encounter with Germany, Morocco will lock horns with South Korea on July 30 and Colombia on August 3.
Commenting on the team’s much anticipated appearance at the World Cup, Morocco’s Head Coach Reynald Pedros said: “We know that we are the underdogs of this group but that does not prevent us from making it difficult for all these nations.”
He stressed that the team has been preparing for its upcoming matches with “an absolutely incredible state of mind and work,” expressing his hope for the Atlas Lionesses to advance beyond the group stage.
Regarding the current FIFA rankings, Germany holds a higher position, securing the second spot, while Morocco is ranked 72nd.
Predictions and data analysis from various sources suggest that Germany is the favorite to win the opening game against Morocco.
British outlet Sports Mole predicts that Germany will emerge victorious with a 92.18% chance of winning. Meanwhile, it said that Morocco has a 1.75% chance of winning, whereas there is a 6.25% possibility of the game ending in a draw.
As the countdown to the kickoff begins, anticipation and excitement are building among Moroccan football fans for the Atlas Lionesses’ first-ever World Cup appearance, with many hoping that they will follow the Atlas Lions’ lead and deliver a strong performance.
