After the draw against Sweden, the Dutch women’s football team managed to win the second group match at the European Football Championship. In Leigh, England, the Orange squad defeated Portugal 3-2 thanks to hits from Damaris Egurrola, Stefanie van der Gragt and Daniëlle van de Donk. With the win, the corona and injury concerns in the Dutch camp disappear into the background for a while: in recent days, Jackie Groenen and striker Vivianne Miedema dropped out after a positive corona test and goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, who had fallen out against Sweden with a shoulder injury, proved the rest of the game. the tournament can no longer be used.
Also read: Miedema: ‘Injury at Van Veenendaal was already a bloodletting’
The Netherlands took a 2-0 lead within fifteen minutes against the Portuguese, who are participating in the European Championship as a replacement for Russia. First starting debutant Damaris Egurrola headed in from a corner, then Stefanie van der Gragt was also accurate with the head. In her dive to the ball, the Ajax defender got a shoe from a Portuguese against her head, but after treatment she was able to continue.
Portugal made it 2-1 before half-time from a penalty kick. Attacker Diana Silva was tapped in the penalty area by Orange defender Dominique Janssen, after which referee Ivana Martincic put the ball on the spot after consultation with the video referee. When Silva then scored the 2-2 at the start of the second half, the Netherlands had to look for a new lead.
Offside goal
That lead seemed to come quickly via Jill Roord, but after another minute of VAR deliberation, Martincic rejected her goal due to offside. With about half an hour to play, it was still a hit. Midfielder Danielle van de Donk shot the ball high into the goal from the edge of the box. It turned out to be the decisive goal.
In the other match in the group of the Netherlands, Sweden was 2-1 too strong for Switzerland. The Netherlands and Sweden now both have four points from two matches, Switzerland and Portugal follow with one point. On Sunday, the Netherlands will play against the Swiss in the last group match.
A version of this article also appeared in the newspaper of 14 July 2022