Popp’s first-half double powers Germany to a 6-0 rout of Morocco at the Women’s World Cup #Popps #firsthalf #double #powers #Germany #rout #Morocco #Womens #World #Cup

Melbourne, Australia (AP) — Alexandra Popp scored twice in the first half and Germany added four more in the second in a 6-0 rout of Morocco in its Women’s World Cup opener on Monday.

The margin of victory is the largest of the tournament so far, with the two-time champions against a Moroccan team on debut at the tournament.

Popp scored her 63rd and 64th international goals, moving to third on Germany’s all-time list.

Colombia's forward Linda Caicedo, centre, practices in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 24, 2023. Caicedo, 18, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 15. "I was going into surgery one day and I was feeling really bad," Caicedo said through a translator. "I thought that I was not going to be able to play top-level football again." (AP Photo/Jessica Gratigny)

Star forward Linda Caicedo survived an ovarian cancer diagnosis at 15 and is ready to make her Women’s World Cup debut for Colombia against South Korea.

From left, players Melanie Leupholz, Sarai Linder, Lena Lattwein, Svenja Hut, Laura Freigang, Sara Doorsoun, Carolin Simon, Sophia Kleinherne, Chantal Hagel and Felicitas Rauch warm up during training session of the German women's national soccer team in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Monday, June 3, 2023. The women's soccer world championships take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20, 2023 until August 20, 2023. (Daniel Loeb/dpa/dpa via AP)

Players for two-time Women’s World Cup champion Germany will donate a percentage of their World Cup bonuses to grassroots girls soccer organizations.

Italy's Lisa Boattin reacts agains a call by the referee during the Women's World Cup Group G soccer match between Italy and Argentina at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Monday, July 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Cristiana Girelli’s goal in the 87th minute broke a stalemate and Italy kicked off the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Monday night.

New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's World Cup soccer match between New Zealand and Norway in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

New Zealand is potentially one win away from advancing to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in team history, and the co-host nation has quickly embraced its Football Ferns.

The Wolfsburg player quickly made her mark on the tournament after missing out on the final of the 2022 European Championship against England because of injury.

The second half featured two Morocco own-goals sandwiched between goals from Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller. Morocco is the first Arab and North African country to qualify for the tournament

KEY MOMENTS

In the 11th minute, Popp scored with a header off a cross from Kathrin Hendrich. She doubled her tally with another header in the 39th off Klara Bühl’s corner kick.

Bühl scored the third goal with a right-foot strike just 23 seconds into the second half. For the fourth goal in the 54th, Svenja Huth served a ball in off a rebound from a corner. The ball then bounced off Morocco defender Hanane Aït El Haj for an own goal.

Another own goal by Yasmin Mrabet followed before Lea Schüller rounded out the scoring for Germany in the 90th minute.

WHY IT MATTERS

After losing to Zambia and Brazil in recent friendlies, Germany announced itself as a contender to win the tournament with the comfortable victory. The 2003 and 2007 World Cup winners have advanced to at least the quarterfinals in each of its eight previous World Cup appearances. Germany is on top of Group H, with Colombia and South Korea set to play their opening match on Tuesday.

Morocco’s lopsided loss on debut adds pressure to its remaining group-stage matches. The first Arab and North African nation to compete in the Women’s World Cup will be aiming to improve on this performance in order to keep its hopes alive of advancing to the tournament’s knockout stage.

WHAT’S NEXT

Germany will travel to Sydney for its next game against Colombia, who advanced to the round of 16 in its last World Cup appearance. Morocco will play South Korea at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium. Both games are scheduled for Sunday.