Thursday's Women's World Cup Tips: Colombia on the brink after huge Germany result

Not many would have envisaged that Colombia would be top of Group H after two games at the Women’s World Cup – but here we are…

Las Chicas Superpoderosas pulled off a huge result in Sydney last week as Manuela Vanegas grabbed a 97th minute winner to take them top of the group and within touching distance of the Round of 16 for just the second time in their history.

After a very competitive group stages in Australia and New Zealand 14 of the 16 teams destined for the knockouts have now been finalised, and it comes down to two more games to decide who will be joining them…

Today we’ve got football expert, Joe Crann, to have a closer look at the final two games to decipher what – on paper – is most likely to happen.

Morocco v Colombia

The Lionesses of Atlas have had quite the story at the WWC so far, getting an absolute baptism of fire in their debut game against the Germans – which they lost 6-0 – before recovering to pull off a big shock by beating South Korea.

Ibtissam Jraïdi’s winner that day was the first that the Moroccans have scored since February, and meant that they could go into the final game of the group with something to play for. At 7.6 for the win they’re still big underdogs, but given that Colombia only need a draw they won’t be throwing in the towel.

Nelson Abadía and his Colombian outfit are in fine form though, unbeaten in five and averaging around two goals per game - they haven’t not scored in any of their 16 matches across all competitions, going back to the Copa América Femenina final defeat to Brazil in 2022. That’s why a Moroccan clean sheet is at 4.8.

Prediction: Colombia to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2

South Korea v Germany

No surprises here that - at 1.22 - the Germans are favourites for victory. They’re heavyweights in this tournament and a surprise defeat to Colombia doesn’t change the fact that they’re still a force to be reckoned with.

Alexandra Popp feels inevitable, too. The Wolfsburg forward has scored 12 goals in her last 14 games for club and country - including three in two games at the WWC so far. Having a look at her as anytime goalscorer (1.86) is certainly worth the time.

The Koreans aren’t out of things just yet, but it’s pretty much certain that they’ll be going home after this fixture. They’d need Colombia to beat Morocco and also to smash DFB-Frauenteam by five or more goals in order to take them into second place - they’re at 290 to even win by 3+.

With the Taegeuk ladies having conceded 14 in eight games this year, a comfortable Germany win is expected, and you can get them to come out on top with over 2.5 goals at 1.8.

Prediction: Alexandra Popp as anytime goalscorer @ 1.86

Thursday's Women's World Cup Tips

Morocco v Colombia: Colombia to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2
South Korea v Germany: Alexandra Popp as anytime goalscorer @ 1.86