- Gareth Cloono
- Thu, Jul 04 2019
The Netherlands will face holders the United States in the final of the 2019 World Cup after they edged out Sweden 1-0 after extra time in Lyon.
Jackie Groenen scored the only goal of the game nine minutes into extra time as she beat Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl with a low shot into the corner following an exhausting 90 minutes.
The game started cagily and Sweden were the first to come close after 13 minutes when Stina Blackstenius fired straight at keeper Sari Van Veenendahal.
The Netherlands responded shortly afterwards through Vivianne Miedema but her shot was comfortably saved by Sweden keeper Lindahl.
Sweden came close nine minutes before half time when a shot from Elin Rubensson rebounded off a defender and in turn found Blackstenius, and her shot was just saved by Veenendahal.
Nilla Fischer came close for Sweden in the 55th minute as her shot took a deflection and rebounded off the post.
Netherlands were lethargic and loose in the second half, gifting possession away to the Swedes, but they had the best chance of the game to date from a corner.
Sweden were nearly caught on their hells when a loose header found substitute Jill Roord, but Lineth Beerensteyn was caught offside for the Netherlands side.
Miedema came close again for Netherlands but a terrific save from Sweden’s Lindahl, tipping the ball onto the bar, kept the game at 0-0 before extra time.
Nine minutes into extra time the Netherlands scored as Groenen netted with a superb strike from outside the box leaving Lindahl with no chance.
In the second half of extra time it was Netherlands who came very near to doubling their lead when Van De Sanden was put through but she narrowly hit it wide.
Sweden put on some pressure but didn’t come close to a goal and finished with ten players as Kosovare Allsani picked up a serious injury that called for a stretcher.
Netherlands: Sari Van Veenendaal, Desiree Van Lunteren, Stefanie van der Gragt Dominique Bloodworth, Merel van Dongen; Sherida Spitse, Danielle Van De Donk, Jackie Groenen; Lineth Beerenstyn (Sharice Van De Sanden 71), Lieke Martens (Jill Roord 46), Vivianne Miedema.
Subs not used: Loes Geurts (gk), Lize Kop (gk), Kika Van Es, Anouk Dekker, Victoria Pelova, Renate Jansen, Inessa Kagman, Ellen Jansen, Danique Kerkdjik, Liza van der Most,.
Booked: Sherida Spitse (85 min), Danielle van de Donk (116min).
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl; Hanna Glas, Nilla Fischer, Linda Sambrandt, Magdalena Eriksson (Jonna Anderson 111); Kosovare Asllani, Elin Rubensson (Julia Ziglotti 94), Lina Hurtig (Madalen Janogy 79); Stina Blackstenius (Mimmi Larsson 111), Sofia Jakobssen .
Subs not used: Jennifer Falk (gk) Zecira Musovic (gk), Amanda Llestdt, Julia Roddar, Anna Anvegard, Olivia Schough.
Booked: Julia Zigotti (94).
Referee: Marie Soleil Beaudoin (Canada).
Extra Time.ie Player of the Match: Jackie Groenen (Netherlands).
