Lionesses roared into World Cup quarter-finals as Morocco edge Poland in winner-takes-all thriller

By Trust Ittai

Morocco’s women’s futsal team punched their ticket to the World Cup quarter-finals with a gritty, nerve-wracking 1–0 victory over Poland in Pasig City — a match where everything was on the line and nothing was guaranteed.

Fresh off their crucial 3–2 win over hosts Philippines, the Atlas Lionesses entered the clash knowing the equation was brutally simple: win and advance, draw or lose and go home.

Poland set up in a defensive shell from the opening whistle, parking bodies behind the ball and looking to strike only when Morocco slipped.

When Jasmine Demraoui thought she had given Morocco the perfect start in the 4th minute, VAR crushed the celebrations, spotting a handball in the build-up and wiping the goal off.

The warning shot came from Poland in the 16th minute when Izabella Tracz rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort, but the first half closed goalless despite Morocco’s superior attacking waves.

The breakthrough finally came nine minutes into the second half. Demraoui, 21 years old and ice-cold under pressure, punished a Polish defensive mistake and slipped the ball under the rushing keeper for the only goal of the match — and arguably the biggest in Morocco’s young futsal history.

With the lead secured, the Lionesses flipped the script. Morocco dug deep, closed spaces, absorbed waves of Polish pressure, and survived a frantic finish as Poland threw on an extra attacker in desperation. The Atlas Lionesses never blinked.

The victory lifts Morocco to six points, cementing second place in Group A and sealing a place among the final eight teams — an extraordinary achievement for a squad formed just 15 months ago.

Head coach Adil Sayeh couldn’t hide his pride.

“The girls deserve it. You see what they’ve done against the 14th-ranked team in the world. It’s not easy for a team founded fifteen months ago, with all football players. I really want to thank them for their effort and perseverance.”

With history already made, Morocco now awaits their quarter-final opponent while the rest of Group B battles it out tomorrow.

The Atlas Lionesses came to the World Cup as newcomers.

They are staying as contenders.

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