Women’s World Cup as it happened: France set up Matildas quarter-final date, Colombia beat Jamaica

Well, what a night of football as we wrapped up the round of 16 fixtures from the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Colombia is through to a showdown with England in the final eight after beating Jamaica 1-0 at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, bringing the country’s passionate fans to Sydney for a shot at more World Cup history.

And in the second match, world No.5 France swept past debutants Morocco 4-0 with three goals inside eight first-half minutes in Adelaide. Up next? The mighty Matildas, who will be waiting for the quarter-final in Brisbane on Saturday evening.

Thanks again for joining us and catch you for all the knockout action on Friday.

Good night.

France is through to a quarter-final against the Matildas.Credit: Getty

A quick look at the statistics and you will be hard-pressed to find a more one-sided knockout match with France boasting 59 per cent of possession (16 per cent contested) and having 15 shots on goal to Morocco’s one.

Is it the right tune-up for the test that awaits in the Matildas? We won’t know until Saturday evening.

It’s funny how there’s a fair bit of history repeating in this FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Australia having beaten Denmark in both the men’s and women’s events in the last nine months.

And having been easily brushed aside in their opening game’s of the men’s tournament last year, Australia can get revenge on France in the final eight clash of the women’s event. The two countries will be sick of each other by the end of this.

Kylian Mbappe proved too much for the Socceroos too handle in the men’s World Cup.Credit: Getty

The class of the world No.5 side was just too much for the Africans in Adelaide.

It was noticeable how influential Eugenie Le Sommer was for the French in between the lines in the final third, and her double was enough to suggest Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross will have a huge task shielding Australia’s back four in Brisbane.

So, it’s a repeat of the clash between the two nations at Marvel Stadium a few weeks ago, the final match for each nation before they started the World Cup. Australia won on that night 1-0 thanks to a Mary Fowler goal, but do we take any confidence from that night?

I suspect this French team has been building for the knockout stage, and the Matildas will also be better served with Sam Kerr back to full fitness.

It’s a mouth-watering match-up.

Australia’s Mary Fowler scores a goal against France in send-off friendly.Credit: Getty

There’s a bit of drama late on with Selma Bacha, who hurt her ankle in the last warm-up game against Australia before the World Cup, rolling the same ankle again. She looks in immediate pain and is now trying to walk it off. It doesn’t look too bad, but it’s only a short turnaround until the quarter-final against Australia on Saturday.

And that’s it. The referee has blown full time and France are through to the final eight where they will take on the Matildas in Brisbane.

It was about as comfortable as you can get, three goals inside the space of eight first-half minutes and Eugenie Le Sommer adding her second and the French fourth after the break to end Morocco’s fairytale run at their first World Cup, where they progressed from their group as world No.72.

France will be a formidable opponent for the co-hosts this weekend.

France 4 Morocco 0 (FT)

Morocco’s Sakina Ouzraoui after the final whistle.Credit: Reuters

I think that’s a sympathy decision, because there’s only one way Hanane Ait El Haj is on the park right now. That’s another cynical foul, and I think the referee just couldn’t be bothered pulling out a red so late in the game for a team soundly beaten. She gave her the eyes, anyway.

Only three minutes of added time left as France winds down this comfortable round of 16 win over their African neighbours.

Kadidiatou Diani is one of a couple of late changes the French are making. She’s going for an early shower after four goals in her last two games.

France 4 Morocco 0 (90 minutes)

That’s all she wrote for Eugenie Le Sommer, whose record 19th World Cup appearance for France will end with a double, a goal in each half.

I don’t think there will be any player causing Tony Gustavsson more sleepless nights than the French veteran, who was at her scheming best tonight.

Naomie Feller comes on in her place, while the double change includes Estelle Cascarino on for Eve Perisset.

Inside the last eight minutes of normal time.

France 4 Morocco 0 (82 minutes)

If Eugenie Le Sommer has two, then so should Kadidiatou Diani, who has just lifted a shot over the bar from all of eight yards.

On reflection, it might have been called back for offside in the build-up if VAR got involved, but you expect a striker of her class to bury those. I suspect the French still have another goal in them before the end of the night, albeit against a Moroccan side who has been much better in the second half.

France 4 Morocco 0 (79 minutes)

Eugenie Le Sommer tumbles under a challenge.Credit: Getty

And there it is.

It’s that woman again, Eugenie Le Sommer, who nods home her second and France’s fourth with a simple back post header after a teasing ball from substitute Vicki Becho.

I’ve got no idea what the Moroccan defence was doing letting her drift into such open spaces, but there you have it. Her 92nd international goal and you wouldn’t bet against her notching a hat-trick by the end of the night.

By the way, is it just me or does she look like Steve Smith’s long-lost sister?

France 4 Morocco 0 (71 minutes)

Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates her second goal.Credit: AP

They all want to get in on the act now with Sakina Karchaoui, still yet to score a goal in 61 caps, going on a mazy run through the Moroccan midfield and firing a rather tame effort into the hands of Khadija Er-Rmichi. It feels like one of those nights where someone is going to break a crazy drought.

Oh, she’s a lucky woman Hanane Ait El Haj. That was very close to a second yellow after another silly foul.

Still 20 minutes left and the French starting to up the ante looking for a fourth.

France 3 Morocco 0 (70 minutes)