Germany’s Women’s World Cup campaign got off to a strong start in Melbourne as skipper Alexandra Popp scored twice to defeat Morocco’s debutants.
Germany, the world’s second-ranked team, won easily and are firm favourites to win Group H.
Popp, who was ruled out of the Euro 2022 final due to injury, made her mark in the first half with two brilliant headers.
Soon after halftime, Klara Buhl pounced on a rebound to extend Germany’s lead, before Morocco’s Hanane Ait el Haj and Yasmin Mrabet both poked into their own net.
Germany continued to cause issues and finished the thrashing with a sixth goal from replacement Lea Schuller, who fired into an empty net following a quick counter-attack on the right.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team put in a solid effort, creating multiple chances and looking sharp going forward, hitting the crossbar twice and having a goal ruled out for offside.
Despite the absence of important players Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering due to injuries, Germany maintained their strong group stage record, losing only once in 25 matches.
Morocco, one of eight teams making their World Cup debuts this year, showed flashes of danger but lacked the clinical touch that Germany’s Popp supplied on the opposite end.
Morocco, ranked 70 places lower than Germany, were not as poor as the scoreline suggests, as they pressed high and caused problems on the counter-attack.
Germany face Colombia in their second group game in a strong position, while Morocco face South Korea next, hoping to pick up their first points at a Women’s World Cup.
