Rabat – Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses managed to write their names in the history books on Thursday as they secured a place in the 2023 Women’s World Cup knockout rounds, qualifying over Germany who were pegged as group favorites.

In the next round, they face France in a fixture characterized by the past between the two countries in general, but also in football specifically.

Last year, it was the French men’s team who ended Morocco’s fairytale run at the Qatar World Cup, defeating them 2-0. Herve Renard, the French women’s head coach, also used to coach the Atlas Lions, and took them to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Ahead of the much-anticipated game, this is a look at the French women’s team, including their biggest ups and downs.

While the history of women’s football in France dates back to the 1920s, shortly after the first World War, the professional practice of the sport for women was suspended by 1932.

It was not until 1970 that the team was reinstated again, and played their first official international game against the Netherlands, which they won 4-0. The team then played in various unofficial international championships that were held prior to the first FIFA-sanctioned World Cup.

Biggest defeat and victories

In 1992, they suffered a 7-0 defeat in a friendly against Germany which remains their biggest one to date.

In 1998, however, the team achieved what is still their joint best victory in a friendly against Algeria, where they smashed their North African opponent 14-0.

The stellar performance saw team captain Corinne Diacre score a hat-trick in the first half an hour, scoring goals in the 3rd, 17th, and 35th minutes. Angelique Roujas also came out of the game having scored three goals, in the 41st, 75th, and 83rd minutes.

Meanwhile, forward Astrid Lagrevol was able to score an impressive four goals, in the 44th, 57th, 70th, and 74th minutes.

Elodie Woock, Candie Herbert, Hoda Lattaf, and Marinette Pichon also contributed to the victory with a goal for each of them.

In 2013, they matched that result with Bulgaria, making it their joint biggest victory of all time.

France will prove a challenging opponent for the Atlas Lionesses, who will aim in their own right to continue surprising audiences and making history. France have reached at least the quarter-finals of the past three editions, making them an intimidating opponent for debutant Morocco.