Netherlands secure nervy victory over Switzerland to qualify for EURO quarter-finals | OneFootball

The Netherlands are into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 following a nervy 4-1 victory over Switzerland at Bramall Lane in Sheffield this evening.

While the scoreline suggests that it was an easy win for the Dutch, they needed two late goals from Romèe Leuchter and one from Victoria Pelova to secure a safe passage to the last eight.

The first half was rather slow to get going with the humid conditions making it difficult for the players. Switzerland settled the better of the two sides and Sandy Maendly forced a great save out of Dutch keeper Daphne van Domselaar with her curling effort from 20 yards.

The Netherlands’ first real chance almost produced a penalty. Lineth Beerensteyn was released on goal and while she failed to beat Gaëlle Thalmann with her shot, the referee thought that she had been fouled and pointed to the spot. The decision seemed harsh and it was reversed following a VAR review pitchside.

That moment did spark the Dutch into action and Lieke Martens saw a cross pushed away by Thalmann before Sherida Spitse curled an effort wide. Martens then saw a looping header pushed over by the Swiss keeper.

Switzerland had the final chance of a goalless first half. Ramona Bachmann crossed onto the head of Géraldine Reuteler but her effort lacked the power to beat Van Domselaar.

The Netherlands took the lead with the first chance of the second half. A cross found Stefanie van der Gragt and her effort was headed in on the line by the unfortunate Ana-Maria Crnogorčević.

Switzerland immediately levelled after going behind to Sweden in midweek and their response was similar against the Dutch. Bachmann pulled the ball back for Reuteler and she scrambled home her effort from just a few yards.

Nils Nielsen’s side should then have gone ahead but Van Domselaar bravely blocked Coumba Sow’s initial effort before her follow up struck the post.

The Netherlands should have won the game 12 minutes from time when substitute Victoria Pelova found herself in on goal. Thalmann blocked her shot before the Swiss keeper also saved the follow up from Daniëlle van de Donk. Switzerland then went straight down the other end and Riola Xhemaili’s whistling strike had to be tipped over by Van Domselaar.

Mark Parsons’ side regained the lead six minutes from time when substitute Leuchter headed home from a cross.

The Dutch were then nearly 3-1 up but Esmee Brugts’ effort struck the post before the ball was cleared to safety. Pelova also thought that she had scored at the death but she was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

The third goal did arrive through a Pelova flick which was given following a length VAR review before The Netherlands grabbed a fourth in stoppage time from close range through Leuchter. It could have even finished 5-1 to Parsons’ side when they again had the ball in the net but the offside flag was raised.

The Netherlands will now face France in their quarter-final in Rotherham on Saturday while Switzerland go home.