LYON (AFP) – An extra-time strike by Jackie Groenen saw the Netherlands edge out Sweden 1-0 in a gruelling women’s World Cup semifinal in Lyon on Wednesday, taking the European champions through to this weekend’s final against the United States.
After a goalless 90 minutes, midfielder Groenen – a former judo European Championship bronze medalist as a youth who recently agreed a move to Manchester United – broke the deadlock in the 99th minute of a tense contest in Lyon, breaking Swedish hearts in the process.
When Danielle van de Donk’s pass was touched into her path by Swedish defender Linda Sembrant, Groenen sent a low shot from 20 yards beyond the reach of goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and into the far corner.
Having knocked out former winners Japan and then Italy in the previous two rounds, the Dutch are now just one game away from adding a first World Cup to the title they won at Euro 2017, a tournament they hosted.
Getting this far is a remarkable achievement for the ‘Oranje’, who are appearing at just their second World Cup, but they will surely need to improve drastically if they are to stand any chance of defeating the holders.
The USA are through to their third successive World Cup final after edging out England 2-1 on Tuesday.
That was a game which had it all, and it was always going to be difficult for this second semi-final to reach the same heights.
After the euphoria of ending a long hoodoo against old rivals Germany in the last round, 2016 Olympic finalists Sweden were the better team in the first half here.
Their coach Peter Gerhardsson was forced into a late change to his starting line-up, with midfielder Elin Rubensson initially dropped and then retained in the team after all as Nathalie Bjorn missed out with illness.
When Rubensson had a shot blocked in the area in the 37th minute, the ball fell to Lina Hurtig and her effort was well saved by Sari van Veenendaal.
That was about it for goalmouth action in the first half, and the Dutch goalkeeper and captain denied them again in the 56th minute as she got down low to tip Nilla Fischer’s shot onto the post.
