Lyon, Paris- After playing over 120 minutes in the heat of Paris, the Netherlands secured their spot in the final against the U.S. Women’s National Team with a 1-0 win over Sweden.
Sweden came in with set pieces from corner kicks to pose a challenge for the Dutch early on. Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani took a corner kick that served her teammates well as Elin Rubensson sent a shot to the goal. The Netherlands attempted to make the clearance, but after the ball bounced around to several players, the Dutch were finally safe as their backline followed through with the play.
Another corner kick was taken by Sweden as they used it to their advantage to create opportunities on goal. Despite the immense pressure towards the back of the net, Netherlands goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal deflected the corner kick to avoid conceding a goal in the first half.
In a very physical semi-final the Netherlands were able to overtake Sweden with a goal in extra time (photo by Jeff Wong).
With plays bouncing back and forth between the two sides, the Oranjeleeuwinnen also used a corner kick to change the atmosphere of the game in overtime. Midfielder Jackie Groenen scored on Van Veenendaal in the 99’ minute to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead while fighting for the final spot.
Although Kosovare Asllani suffered from an injury in overtime, her exit off the field in a stretcher extended the delay from the Netherlands seeing their victory. As time had already dragged on, the referee brought the match to an end with the sound of her final whistle, which queued the Netherlands to celebrate their 1-0 win.
Now, the two of the top female coaches will see their players give all of their efforts in the final performance of the World Cup.
“Of course I’m really happy to be in the final,” Netherlands head coach Sarina Wiegman said. “If you want to go into the bigger picture, I think it’s important that women have the opportunity to develop as players, as coaches and in society.”
The match between the Netherlands and the USWNT will take place on Sunday, July 7 at 8 a.m. PST.
SCORING SUMMARY:
NED-Jackie Groenen, 99’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NED-Sherida Spitse, 85’ yellow card
SWE-Julia Zigiotti, 94’ yellow card
NED-Danielle Van De Donk, 116’ yellow card
SWEDEN: #1-Hedvig Lindahl, #3-Linda Sembrant, #4-Hanna Glas, #5-Nilla Fischer, #6-Mgdalena Eriksson (#2-Jonna Andersson, 111’), #8-Lina Hurtig (#7-Madelen Janogy, 79’), #9-Kosovare Asllani, #10-Sofia Jakobsson, #11-Stina Blackstenius (#20-Mimmi Larsson, 111’), #17-Caroline Seger, #23-Elin Rubensson (#16-Julia Zigiotti, 79’)
Subs not used: #12-Jennifer Falk, #13-Amanda Ilestedt, #14-Julia Roddar, #19-Anna Anvegard, #21-Zecira Musovic, #22-Olivia Schough, #18-Fridolina Rolfo, #15-Nathalie Bjorn,
NETHERLANDS: #1-Sari Van Veenendaal, #2-Desiree Van Lunteren, #3-Stefanie Van Der Gragt, #4-Merel Van Dongen, #8-Sherida Spitse, #9-Vivianne Miedema, #10-Danielle Van De Donk, #11-Lieke Martens (#19-Jill Roord, 46’), #14-Jackie Groenen, #20-Dominique Bloodworth, #21-Lineth Beerensteyn (#7-Shanice Van De Sanden, 71’)
Subs not used: #5-Kika Van Es, #6-Anouk Dekker, #12-Victoria Pelova, #13-Renate Jansen, #15-Inessa Kaagman, #16-Lize Kop, #17-Ellen Jansen, #18-Danique Kerkdijk, #22-Liza Van Der Most, #23-Loes Geurts
TOTAL SHOTS: SWE 11-15 NED
SHOTS ON GOAL: SWE 3-4 NED
OFFSIDES: SWE 1-4 NED
CORNERS: SWE 12-4 NED
