Debutants Morocco claimed their first-ever victory at the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea. Morocco are 55 rungs below South Korea in the women’s rankings but claimed three points thanks to their first World Cup goal from striker Ibtissam Jraidi.

In the sixth minute, Hanane Ait El Haj whipped in a cross from the right and Jraidi dived forward to make contact with a deft glancing header that went in at the far post.

Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina, who also made history by becoming the first player to wear a headscarf at the Women’s World Cup, made crucial interventions, while she almost scored from a set-piece when she volleyed a snapshot over the bar.

“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,” Jraidi told reporters.

Group C ends in barnstorming fashion. Japan topped the group with a superb record, played three, won three, scored 11, conceded none.

They ended the group stage with a 4-0 battering of Spain but the Spaniards also get through to the knockout stages and will be desperately trying to forget about this one.

Zambia secured a first ever World Cup win which sees them move above Costa Rica, who end up pointless.

New Zealand and Switzerland played out an underwhelming 0-0 stalemate, sending the co-hosts out of the tournament on goal difference and the Europeans through to the last 16 as Group A winners.

Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines in the other group game in Auckland put them level on four points with New Zealand but second on goal difference.

The results meant New Zealand, who stunned Norway in their opening match before losing to the Philippines in their second, became the first Women’s World Cup hosts to exit in the group stage, with several players in tears at the final whistle.

“I can’t ask any more of the players. There’s a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud,” New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley said. “We fought really hard. There’s such disappointment but I want everyone to be proud of what we’ve achieved.

“I really think that we’ve inspired the country. I hope that little girls across New Zealand and the world now will start playing sport and feel like they can achieve whatever they put their mind to and just dream bigger.”

Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat-trick, winger Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten also netted and Alicia Barker’s own goal as Norway put a turbulent two weeks behind them and squeaked into the knockout stages on goal difference on Sunday with that 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines.

“We felt it was us against the world today and we performed from the very start, delivering when we really had to,” said Norway coach Hege Riise. “This was the best response we could have given the Norwegian people and ourselves.”

England’s Keira Walsh did not suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Denmark at the Women’s World Cup and could feature later in the tournament after the Lionesses confirmed the midfielder will remain with the squad.

Walsh was stretchered off in the Lionesses’ 1-0 win against Denmark on Friday and there were fears that the 26-year-old had become the latest star in women’s football to suffer an ACL tear – with England captain Leah Williamson and forward Beth Mead among several star names to be ruled out of the World Cup due to the injury.

The Barcelona midfielder was left on crutches after stretching for the ball and catching her studs on the turf, but a scan yesterday afternoon revealed that the injury was not as bad as it first looked and there was no serious ligament damage.

Stepping onto the field against South Korea in Morocco’s second Women’s World Cup match, defender Nouhaila Benzina made history as the first player to wear a hijab while competing at a senior-level global tournament.

A FIFA ban on playing in religious head coverings in its sanctioned games for “health and safety reasons” was overturned in 2014 after advocacy from activists, athletes and government and soccer officials.

“I have no doubt that more and more women and Muslim girls will look at Benzina and just really be inspired – not just the players, but I think decision makers, coaches, other sports as well,” said Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network.

Colombia will celebrate their stunning upset victory over Germany at the Women’s World Cup but have no intention of resting on their laurels, assistant coach Angelo Marsiglia said after the 2-1 win yesterday.

Manuela Vanegas scored a dramatic last-gasp winner to put the South Americans top of Group H and all but secure their progress to the knockout stage of the tournament with an all-time great upset.

“We need to give this win to our whole country,” said Marsiglia. “After the game, we were overcome by emotions. Emotions were running high but we gathered in a circle on the pitch and we said ‘look, let’s enjoy this but keep our feet on the ground’. We will go step by step.”

Marsiglia said both of the team’s goals on Sunday illustrated the technique of the Colombians, not least the sublime 52nd-minute first from teenager Linda Caicedo who jinked between two defenders and curled a sumptuous strike into the far corner. Caicedo, who made her senior team debut at age 14 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 15, collapsed in training on Thursday, raising fears over her health. But Marsiglia said he was confident the 18-year-old would be fit to play Colombia’s final group match against Morocco in Perth on Thursday.

“We know that Linda has had some problems in the past but nothing to be worried about,” he insisted. “She was very tired of course. She had a bit of acceleration in her heart but this wasn’t a problem and she decided to continue and finish the game.”

The two starting XIs give an insight into the state of both squads. Canada have brought in the experienced Christian Sinclair who provided some impteus from the bench in their match against Ireland.

Australia have recalled Mary Fowler who has recovered from a niggle but Sam Kerr is not fully fit as she starts on the bench. Could the Matildas be heading out of the World Cup before Kerr even gets the chance to play?

If Canada start well, that may be so.

Australia XI: Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Van Egmond, Gorry, Cooney-Cross; Raso, Foord, Fowler

Canada XI: Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Quinn, Grosso, Huitema; Fleming, Leon, Sinclair

The co-hosts of this Women’s World Cup are on the verge of an early exit. New Zealand narrowly missed out on a spot in the knockout rounds yesterday as Norway pipped them in Group A due to their superior goal difference.

Today, Australia must beat Canada if they want to ensure a place in the last-16. Nigeria currently top Group B and should have enough quality to get at least a draw against the Republic of Ireland when their clash kicks off at 11am.

That leaves a shootout between Australia and Canada for the second qualifying spot in the group. The Aussies are boosted by the return of the captain Sam Kerr who has recovered from injury and she will no doubt play a huge role if they are to get through the group this morning (UK time).

It’s crunch time at the Women’s World Cup with the final round of fixtures in the group stages set to decide who will advance to the knockouts.

It has been a tournament of shocks and surprises so far, with Nigeria stunning Australia and Colombia’s last-gasp win over Germany standing out as the biggest results of the World Cup.

There are set to be more twists and turns as the final matches of the group stages are played out – with the top two teams in each group advancing to the last-16.

With everything to play for across several groups, here’s what each team needs to reach the knockout stages, starting with Group B.