Illness and injury have tested the Netherlands’ resources at Euro 2022. Portugal tested their resolve to the limit, fighting back from a two-goal deficit for the second game in succession to underline their own progression. Yet the holders prevailed and set course for the knockout phase courtesy of Daniëlle van de Donk’s superb second-half winner.
The Dutch overtook Sweden at the top of Group C after an enthralling contest that both exposed their vulnerabilities – they have conceded as many goals in two matches as when winning the competition in 2017 – and demonstrated their power. “We are a good team but we are trying to become a great team,” said the manager, Mark Parsons. “There is a lot to improve. It was not acceptable the way we started the second half but we showed great quality and character to regain the lead. We kept Portugal quiet in the last 20 minutes and it was important for us to close the game out against a team fighting for their life.”
