Netherlands narrowly edge out Portugal thanks to Van de Donk wonderstrike | OneFootball

Daniëlle van de Donk’s wonderstrike saved The Netherlands’ blushes as they defeated a plucky Portugal side 3-2 in Leigh this evening.

The Dutch faced-off against Portugal in the second round of fixtures in Group C. Mark Parsons’ side knew that they would have to try and edge towards qualification without first-choice goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, defender Aniek Nouwen, midfielder Jackie Groenen and all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema. Portugal came into the match off the back of an impressive 2-2 draw against Switzerland on Matchday 1.

It appeared that the underdogs got off to the perfect start. An early cross from the left into the six-yard area found Ana Borges who poked the ball in from close range. The ecstatic Sporting Lisbon forward saw her joy cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside.

Francisco Neto’s side looked unfazed by the task of facing the reigning European champions. That being said, it was The Orange Lionesses who took the lead against the run of play. An inswinging corner from the left by Sherida Spitse was delivered into the area and met by Damaris Egurrola who turned in her header from close range to give the Dutch an early advantage.

It was another Spitse corner that again caused the Portuguese some problems and ultimately led to The Netherlands’ second goal. The initial cross was only half-cleared and Lieke Martens fancied her chances on the volley. Her deflected effort fell right into the path of Stefanie van der Gragt and she bravely put her head in harm’s way to direct the ball into the net and took a boot to the face from Catarina Amado for her troubles.

Corners were proving to be a real threat for The Netherlands and Van der Gragt nearly had her second goal of the game. She was picked out by Spitse at the back post and directed her header back across goal. Van de Gragt had Inês Pereira beaten but she was denied by Carole Costa who headed clear on the line.

That clearance looked to be vital as minutes later Portugal were handed a lifeline. Andreia Norton threaded a neat through ball from midfield to Diana Silva. She looked to beat Dominique Janssen and was brought down by the Dutch centre-back. The referee initially waved the appeals away but after a recommendation from VAR, she went over to the monitor, overturned her decision and pointed to the spot. Costa who had made a significant contribution at one end then stepped up at the other. She coolly slotted her penalty beyond Daphne van Domselaar. That goal meant Portugal went in at half-time trailing by the solitary goal and with the momentum to kick on in the next 45 minutes and that’s exactly what they did.

Early in the second half, Costa once again proved a great influence on the Portuguese team as she put in a perfect cross for Diana Silva who diverted her header beyond a helpless Van Domselaar to tie the match.

Portugal’s joy was seemingly short-lived though as Lineth Beerensteyn found space on the right and she cut the ball back to Jill Roord. The Arsenal midfielder drilled her effort low and hard into the bottom corner just moments after the equaliser. However, after a lengthy VAR review, Beerensteyn was viewed as offside and the goal was chalked off.

It was a brief reprieve for the Portuguese as they soon found themselves behind once again and there was no way this one was going to be ruled out. Van de Donk picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and had time to turn and pick her spot before expertly bending her shot into the top corner. It was a sublime finish that left Pereira with no chance.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game and when the full-time whistle sounded, the Dutch were on the verge of qualification for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 quarter-finals. As for Portugal, only a win against Sweden on Sunday will guarantee their place beyond the group stage but given their commendable displays thus far, you wouldn’t put it past them.