Charismatic striker Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany thrashed debutants Morocco 6-0 to begin their Women’s World Cup title challenge in ominous fashion on Monday.
Popp’s 12th-minute header set the Germans on their way in Melbourne, and she collected another before the break as the two-time champions romped to the biggest win of the tournament so far.
Klara Buehl added a third in Germany’s first attack at the beginning of the second half, before own goals from Hanane Ait El Haj and Zineb Redouani.
A last-minute strike from substitute Lea Schueller completed the rout as Morocco’s piece of history—the first Arab team to play at a Women’s World Cup—ended in humiliation.
The Atlas Lionesses showed glimpses of magic and had a goal disallowed.
However, a dream win never looked possible in front of 27,256 fans at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, a near full house.
Germany, who won the World Cup in 2003 and 2007, were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the previous edition.
