Parsons was faced with a big puzzle on Wednesday evening. During the first match against Sweden (1-1), the Orange squad already had to deal with a number of serious blows with the injured Sari van Veenendaal and Aniek Nouwen. A day later, star player Jackie Groenen tested positive for the corona virus. To make matters worse, it turned out on Tuesday that Vivianne Miedema also has the invisible enemy among its members.
The tournament is not yet over for Nouwen, Groenen and Miedema, but Van Veenendaal’s shoulder injury is so bad that she is now back in the Netherlands. FC Twente goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar therefore started under the bar against Portugal. The other replacements were Marisa Olislagers, Damaris Egurrola and Lineth Beerensteyn.
Fast on roses
After only five minutes of play, the Orange squad received a serious warning from the Portuguese. Ana Borges thought her country would take the lead, but to the relief of everyone on the Dutch side, the goal was rejected for offside. The Netherlands was shaken awake, because barely two minutes later it was the Orange who scored. Egurrola extended a corner kick from Sherida Spitse with the head: 1-0.
The goal gave Orange wings. The Lionesses emphatically went on the hunt for a second goal and after fifteen minutes the 2-0 was on the scoreboard. Stefanie van der Gragt threw her head against the ball at the risk of her own life and saw the leather disappear into the goal. The defender did get a big kick in her face, but luckily was able to continue with a plaster in the face.
The Orange seemed to be sitting on roses after the 2-0, but saw Portugal come alongside. In the end, the Orange won 3-2.
PROSHOTS
Lead in smoke over
Ten minutes before half time, Portugal made the connection goal. Referee Martincic was called to the side by the VAR after Dominique Janssen tapped Diana Silva’s foot. After a long look, Martincic put the ball on the spot. Carole Costa did not fail and beat Van Domselaar from eleven meters: 2-1.
Immediately after the break, the Netherlands received a big blow, after Silva signed for the equalizer. The Orange therefore had to start all over again, but seemed to answer very quickly via Jill Roord. The goal was canceled to the horror of the Netherlands. The VAR again needed a lot of time, but concluded that Beerensteyn was offside.
beautiful bang
Still, the much hoped-for victory came for the Orange. Van de Donk signed for the liberating 3-2 with a magnificent bang. In the far top corner, she left Pereira completely without a chance, so that the Orange took a big step towards the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Wednesday evening.
The Netherlands will close the group stage on Sunday at 6 p.m. with the game against Switzerland and a draw is enough to continue.
View all results, standings and the full schedule of the European Championship women’s football here