Netherlands 3-2 Portugal (2-1)
Defending champions Netherlands celebrated their first win at the Women’s European Football Championship in a thrilling match against Portugal on Wednesday evening. Coach Mark Parsons’ side beat the Portuguese once again 3-2 (2-1) at Lee Sports Village and now have the best chance of progressing in Group C with four points after two days of play.
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At first it seemed like an easy victory for the Dutch women: Damaris Egurola (7th minute) and Stephanie van der Gracht (16th) quickly gave the “Orange” a clear lead, but the Portuguese won the first group game against them. Switzerland (2:2) trailed 0:2. Carol da Silva Costa (38′, penalty) and Diana Silva (47′) equalized. However, unlike Switzerland, the Netherlands came back and Daniel van de Donk (62nd) scored the winning goal. Both teams put on a real display with many beautiful goals. Jill Roord’s (49th) goal made it 2-2, disallowed by VAR due to an offside position in the build-up to the goal.
Thanks to Hannah Bennison’s wild card goal, co-favourites Sweden advance to the quarter-finals, as do their opening opponents the Netherlands (1-1 last Saturday). Sweden won the evening match against Switzerland 2-1 (0-0). The Swiss held their own admirably after a wave of gastroenteritis that affected nine players. Substitute Bennison scored the winning goal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield in the 79th minute with a tight shot from distance. Before that, Ramona Bachmann (55th) immediately equalized Sweden’s lead with Fridolina Rolbo (53rd).
Despite Wednesday’s defeats, neither Switzerland nor Portugal (one point each) were eliminated from the tournament. Both will need to win against the likes of the Netherlands and Sweden to remain in the quarter-finals of next Sunday’s final.
