Morocco made history in more ways than one in its 1-0 win over South Korea at the Women’s World Cup.
Playing at their first Women’s World Cup, the Atlas Lionesses scored their first goal and won their first game at the tournament in Adelaide. The win over South Korea came after they fell 6-0 to Germany in their opener.
Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina, who didn’t play against Germany, also made some history of her own, becoming the first player to wear a hijab while competing at a senior-level World Cup.
FIFA allowed religious head coverings to be worn in sanctioned matches for the first time in 2014, which led to Benzina making history when she started and went the full match in Morocco’s vital win.
Morocco, the first team from an Arab country to play at a Women’s World Cup, got a goal in the sixth minute from Ibtissam Jraïdi and held on to keep its hopes alive in Group H.
The Atlas Lionesses are in third place, level with Germany on three points but well behind on goal differential after their heavy defeat to the European power to kick off the tournament. They’ll need at least a draw, and most likely a win, in their finale against Colombia to advance to the knockout round.
“We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs — it’s the fruit of our hard work,” Jraïdi said after the game.
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