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.”
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias and João Cancelo were among the Portugal supporters hoping to witness the second-lowest-ranked team in the finals upset the reigning champions. That appeared a forlorn hope when Francisco Neto’s team conceded two early goals, as they did against Switzerland, before staging another impressive recovery. “I am proud of them and I think every person in Portugal should be proud of this team,” said Neto. “At 2-2 we thought we could beat the champions of Europe. This means the women’s game in Portugal is growing.”
The Netherlands started slowly and were grateful for an offside call that denied Ana Borges the opener on her record 146th appearance for Portugal. A lack of rhythm in the Dutch ranks was understandable. Their absentees included all-time leading goalscorer Vivianne Miedema after she tested positive for Covid, midfielder Jackie Groenen, who is also isolating, defender Aniek Nouwen with an ankle problem and captain Sari van Veenendaal, their first choice goalkeeper, who will miss the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury.
Lineth Beerensteyn replaced Arsenal’s Miedema as the focal point of Parsons’ attack and stretched the Portugal defence with her tireless running, although it was the Netherlands’ height advantage that shaped their first-half lead. Portugal repeatedly failed to cope with Sherida Spitse corners, no matter how many times they tried.
Damaris Egurrola opened the scoring with a routine header from Spitse’s second corner of the game, her effort sailing over stranded goalkeeper Inês Pereira. From another Spitse corner the Netherlands doubled their advantage. Stefanie van der Gragt won the initial header and, though Catarina Amado hooked away on the line, her clearance fell to Lieke Martens whose shot deflected into the path of the central defender. Van der Gragt converted with a brave diving header that resulted in an accidental kick in the face from Amado, who was harshly booked.
Portugal’s polished technique ensured they were never out of the contest. The impressive Andreia Norton served a warning to the Dutch with a defence-splitting pass that sent Diana Silva through on goal. The skied finish did not match the quality of the pass but moments later Silva was in again and cut inside Dominique Janssen instead of shooting first time. The opportunity appeared to have gone when Silva slipped but VAR alerted Croatian referee Ivana Martincic to a possible clip on the forward’s heel. A penalty was eventually given and Carole Costa sent Daphne van Domselaar the wrong way from the spot.
Within two minutes of the restart Portugal were level. The dangerous Silva met Costa’s cross with an unstoppable header beyond Van Domselaar and the Netherlands stared at the prospect of a second disappointing draw. They reacted impressively. Jill Roord was denied a third after a lengthy VAR review spotted a marginal offside against Beerensteyn. Undeterred, the Netherlands pushed again and Van de Donk delivered victory with an excellent 25-yard drive that sailed over the despairing Pereira.
