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From Leigh Sports activities Village – Netherlands secured their first win of Euro 2022 after edging a five-goal thriller in opposition to 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. However objectives from Carole Costa and Diana Silva both facet of half-time threatened to make issues uncomfortable till the winner ultimately got here.
Portugal confirmed within the second half in opposition to Switzerland that they aren’t right here to make up the numbers and made a brilliant 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.
However soccer is merciless and it was solely moments later when Egurrola met Sherida Spitse’s nook. Netherlands may have rapidly 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.
Whereas Portugal have been competing in open play, set-pieces have been their downfall. They have 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.
Solely a goal-line clearance denied Netherlands a 3rd nook aim, with Costa in the fitting place on the proper time to cease Van der Gragt getting her second.
A 3rd aim 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 verify, 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 fitting. That tough 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 because the ball rippled the again of the online.
Portugal have been nonetheless going for it proper till the very finish, however Netherlands held off the late combat.
GK: Daphne van Domselaar – 6/10 – Maybe moved too early on the penalty. Made an excellent save instantly earlier than Portugal obtained their second.
RB: Lynn Wilms – 5/10 – Had a a lot better time of it than Olislagers on the opposite facet, however did not face the identical intense risk.
CB: Stefanie van der Gragt – 6/10 – Took a whack for her hassle when she bravely doubled her group’s lead. Disillusioned 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 extremely exhausting time by Jessica Silva. Crushed 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 brought on Portugal essentially 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. Handed it nicely.
RF: Danielle van de Donk – 8/10 – Confirmed loads of positional versatility and maturity. Lined at right-back in play too, whereas her aim was unbelievable.
ST: Lineth Beerensteyn – 6/10 – Her tempo by the center was an apparent risk within the first half. Portugal handled it higher after that.
LF: Lieke Martens – 6/10 – Obtained the help for Van de Donk, albeit a easy lay-off, however an excessive amount of on the periphery for a significant influence 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 just a few instances. Unfortunate 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 – Obtained 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 – Did not should face a typical winger in Van de Donk. Got here off disappointingly early.
CM: Andreia Norton – 7/10 – Portugal’s finest midfielder for the second recreation operating. 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 – Did not see a great deal of the ball however labored exhausting to present these in entrance or her a platform.
RF: Jessica Silva – 8/10 – Impressed once more, placing the Dutch defence underneath strain. Her marker was subbed off with practically half an hour left.
ST: Diana Silva – 8/10 – Received the penalty after she was upended following a darting run. Scored the second Portuguese aim herself.
LF: Ana Borges – 5/10 – Struggled to have as a lot attacking influence 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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