India was on course of managing at least a point, but hopes were squashed when a handball by Naketa in the 50th minute gifted Morocco a penalty. El Madani made no mistake to convert her spot-kick.

Morocco got its second goal in the 62nd minute. Melody could not hold on to a cross from the right by Samya Masnaoui and skipper Yasmine was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball in.

India came closest to scoring in the competition when Anita Kumari got a through ball in the 83rd minute and was one-on-one with Morocco keeper Wissal Titah, who had come off her line. Kumari tried to slot the ball past Titah, but she used her feet to block shot of Anita and deny India its opening World Cup goal.

Morocco scored their third goal in second-half injury time with a brilliant counter-attack. Masnaoui threaded an accurate through ball for Cherif between two Indian defenders and the latter kept her composure to slot the ball in the net past an outstretched Melody.
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TOP: Players of Indian team pose before their second Group-A FIFA U-17 Womens World Cup match against Morocco at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 14 October 2022.
RIGHT: India goalkeeper Melody Chanu makes spectacular save against Morocco in Bhubaneswar on 14 October 2022.