From Leigh Sports Village – Netherlands secured their first win of Euro 2022 after edging a five-goal thriller towards Portugal, with Danielle van de Donk scoring a spectacular winner after the Portuguese had come from 2-0 down again to 2-2 for the second recreation in a row.
Damaris Egurrola and Stefanie van der Gragt each netted from corners for a lead that ought to have been comfy for the Dutch. But objectives from Carole Costa and Diana Silva both facet of half-time threatened to make issues uncomfortable till the winner finally got here.
Portugal confirmed within the second half towards Switzerland that they aren’t right here to make up the numbers and made a vibrant begin. They even had the ball within the internet early by Ana Borges, just for the celebrations to fall flat when an offside flag dominated it out.
But soccer is merciless and it was solely moments later when Egurrola met Sherida Spitse’s nook. Netherlands might have shortly doubled their lead however Ines Pereira spectacularly parried the ball over from Lineth Beerensteyn after she beat the Portuguese defence for tempo by the center.
While Portugal had been competing in open play, set-pieces had been their downfall. They had been unable to clear one other nook and Van der Gragt was keen to stay her head the place it hurts to double the lead. That knocked the stuffing out of Portugal, permitting the Dutch to take some management.
Only a goal-line clearance denied Netherlands a 3rd nook purpose, with Costa in the proper place on the proper time to cease Van der Gragt getting her second.
A 3rd purpose would have killed the competition, however already a hero for preserving Portugal in it, Costa stepped as much as convert from the penalty spot virtually instantly to make it 2-1. It wanted a VAR examine, however Diana Silva was tripped by Dominique Janssen.
The momentum carried into the second half. Daphne van Domselaar’s fingertips preserved the Dutch lead, however solely briefly when Diana Silva met Costa’s cross from the proper. That onerous work to get again degree threatened to be undone when Jill Roord put the ball within the internet, however as soon as once more VAR intervened in Portugal’s favour to establish an offside that was missed in actual time.
Netherlands arguably wanted a second of magic to stem the rising Portuguese tide and so they obtained it when Van de Donk picked out the far prime nook from exterior the penalty space. Pereira dived however couldn’t get close to it as the ball rippled the again of the online.
Portugal had been nonetheless going for it proper till the very finish, however Netherlands held off the late battle.
GK: Daphne van Domselaar – 6/10 – Perhaps moved too early on the penalty. Made an excellent save instantly earlier than Portugal obtained their second.
RB: Lynn Wilms – 5/10 – Had a significantly better time of it than Olislagers on the opposite facet, however did not face the identical intense menace.
CB: Stefanie van der Gragt – 6/10 – Took a whack for her hassle when she bravely doubled her crew’s lead. Disappointed to concede twice.
CB: Dominique Janssen – 5/10 – Made sufficient contact with Diana Silva to carry her down – VAR ensured she could not get away with it.
LB: Marisa Olislagers – 4/10 – Given a very onerous time by Jessica Silva. Beaten too many instances. Withdrawn with virtually half an hour left.
CM: Sherida Spitse (c) – 7/10 – A combative pressure in open play, but it surely was her corners that precipitated Portugal probably the most issues.
CM: Jill Roord – 6/10 – Pushed actually excessive as much as the purpose the place she was typically a second striker. Netted but it surely was disallowed.
CM: Damaris Egurrola – 8/10 – Scored the early opener along with her head and was sturdy within the air typically. Passed it properly.
RF: Danielle van de Donk – 8/10 – Showed a whole lot of positional versatility and maturity. Covered at right-back in play too, whereas her purpose was unimaginable.
ST: Lineth Beerensteyn – 6/10 – Her tempo by the center was an apparent menace within the first half. Portugal handled it higher after that.
LF: Lieke Martens – 6/10 – Got the help for Van de Donk, albeit a easy lay-off, however an excessive amount of on the periphery for a significant impression total.
SUB: Kerstin Casparij (63′ for Olislagers) – 5/10
SUB: Victoria Pelova (70′ for Egurrola) – 6/10
SUB: Esmee Brugts (83′ for for Martens) – N/A
GK: Ines Pereira – 6/10 – Alert to the hazard of Beerensteyn’s tempo and was fast to hurry off her line a number of instances. Unlucky to concede this many.
RB: Catarina Amado – 7/10 – Admirably coped with the specter of Martens. Even began to get ahead extra within the second half.
CB: Diana Gomes – 6/10 – Got extra of a deal with on Beerensteyn as the sport progressed. Not commanding sufficient for these first half corners.
CB: Carole Costa – 8/10 – Cleared off the road to maintain Portugal in it at 2-0, moments earlier than halving the deficit with a composed penalty. She then assisted the equaliser at 2-2.
LB: Joana Marchao – 5/10 – Didn’t must face a typical winger in Van de Donk. Came off disappointingly early.
CM: Andreia Norton – 7/10 – Portugal’s greatest midfielder for the second recreation working. The one more than likely to make bursts ahead.
CM: Dolores Silva (c) – 6/10 – Put in a strong shift.
CM: Tatiana Pinto – 6/10 – Didn’t see a great deal of the ball however labored onerous to present these in entrance or her a platform.
RF: Jessica Silva – 8/10 – Impressed once more, placing the Dutch defence below stress. Her marker was subbed off with practically half an hour left.
ST: Diana Silva – 8/10 – Won the penalty after she was upended following a darting run. Scored the second Portuguese purpose herself.
LF: Ana Borges – 5/10 – Struggled to have as a lot attacking impression as the 2 Silvas. Ended up at left-back when Nazareth got here on.
SUB: Fatima Pinto ( 65′ for Do. Silva) – 6/10
SUB: Kika Nazareth (65′ for Marchao) – 6/10
SUB: Vanessa Marques (86′ for T. Pinto) – N/A
SUB: Carolina Mendes (86′ for Di. Silva) – N/A
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