Soccer-Morocco looking to exceed expectations again in 'special' France clash

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group H - Morocco v Colombia - Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia - August 3, 2023 Morocco's Anissa Lahmari celebrates scoring their first goal with Ibtissam Jraidi and Fatima Tagnaout REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

ADELAIDE (Reuters) - Morocco's clash with favourites France in the Women's World Cup on Tuesday will be a special occasion for their players and coach Reynald Pedros as the tournament debutantes aim to continue their fairytale run by reaching the quarter-finals.

In one of the most unexpected outcomes of an already unpredictable group stage, Morocco reached the knockouts as runners-up to Colombia in Group H after beating the South Americans 1-0 while second-ranked Germany failed to advance.