After a weak first half, France turns the game 5: 2 (1: 2) victory against the Netherlands. As a group winner, “Les Bleues” in the quarter -finals against Germany. After the deficit, the French turned up in the second round and shot four goals for a clear victory. The tournament is over for the Netherlands. They have left.
“We will prepare well and look forward to France”announced DFB sports director Nia Künzer after the game. “We will have to play at the highest level and uncomfortable”according to Künzer.
Of course, the German team had a special view of the French game against the Netherlands – somehow it was assumed that France would probably become opponents in Germany in the quarter -finals. A tie was enough for “Les Bleues” for the group victory and this scenario. After their 0: 4 bankruptcy against England, the Netherlands were not too much trusted.
Wück eyewitness in the stands
So open eyes for Christian Wück and his co-trainers who had taken a seat among the spectators in the stadium in Basel. The striking strength of France has so far: its aggressiveness. “Les Bleues” had convinced in the first two group games in the victories against England (2-1) and Wales (4: 1), especially at the high speed on the offensive.
Wück had probably taken the two arrow -fast foreign strikers Sandy Baltimore (left) and Delphine Cascarino (right) under special observation. Of which Cascarino had the first really good scene in the 8th minute when she failed in the goal of the Dutch with a low shot on Daphne van Dromselaar after a push from 13 meters.
The Dutch stayed with it for a long time.
Tempo over the outside
The next French chance went over the other side: Baltimore played on center striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who cleverly put on for Sandie Toletti. The midfield player, who had still sat on the replacement bank in the first games, circled the ball from 17 meters next to the left posts to 1-0 into the net (22nd). It all seemed to take its expected run.
But France’s team revealed weaknesses. Hearded with the brave pressing of the opponents and, above all, had physical disadvantages in standards. Sorting out the long -time defense chief with GardeMass, Wendie Renard, has opened a problem area here. Also in terms of toxicity on the defensive.
France’s weakness on the defensive
This was missing in the 26th minute, when the defenders were too far away from the opponents. Victoria Pelova thanked with a nice shot in the far corner for 1-1 equalization. Oranje now had more game shares and better opportunities. Lineth Beerensteyn, who was in the starting eleven for Vivianne Miedema, missed two good chances.
Nevertheless, the Dutchmen were successful a second time before the break: Pelova was through on the left and her cross was doomed Selma Bacha. The French defender lost an overview and made a flawless own goal to 1: 2 (41.). The Dutchman led to a well -deserved manner. For Wück and Co., the question gradually arose: are we possibly in the wrong game? Because in the flash table of Group D, England had now passed the French. And with it quarterfinal opponents of Germany. At least virtual.
In the meantime, the Netherlands sniffed on the “Wunder von Basel”.
Oranje sniffs the miracle
In Basel, the question was asked: what was going on with France? Would “Les Bleues” also appear in the second half of the desolate as in the first? Then Oranje would be two more goals and his own move into the quarter -finals.
But somehow the break tea did not seem to have done the Dutch well. Back on the lawn, the Andries Jonker team suddenly lacked the punch and power from the first section. France took over and came to equalize: Katoto was sent steeply – the experienced 26 -year -old networked confidently to 2: 2 (61.).
Cascarino grows twice – the Netherlands runs out the breath
And then it went quickly: Within just three minutes, Cascarino screwed the result with a double pack to 4: 2 (64th, 67th). The Netherlands were cracked and after further good chances Sakina Karchaoui added 5-2 in added time.
France had his desired result. And Christian Wück certainly collected several knowledge in the stands. One of them possibly: France does not appear to be unbeatable.
The tournament is over for the Netherlands. They were eliminated as the third in the group. In the quarter -finals, France meets Germany. The game will take place on Saturday (July 19, 2025) at 9 p.m.