Tokyo Olympics: Netherlands set new record in 10-3 win over Zambia | OneFootball

In a thrilling opening match for The Netherlands, Sarina Wiegman’s side set a new all-time goalscoring record by putting 10 past Zambia.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a successful Olympic debut for the Copper Queens. However, despite the hefty loss, Zambia made history of their own by scoring their first ever goal on the Olympic stage.

In the ninth minute of the game, the Dutch team took the lead. Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Nali came off her line to head out the ball out of her half but missed, resulting in an opening goal courtesy of Vivianne Miedema.

Just two minutes later, the Oranje had a chance to score a second goal, but this time Nali shortened the angle well, not letting Shanice van de Sanden get the pass off. Just a minute afterward, Nali recovered again after an almost costly mistake, winning the one-on-one battle against Miedema.

But in the 13th minute, she made another error, mistiming her tackle on Miedema with three Dutch players pressing her. It was then Lieke Martens who capitalised on the situation. Just after resuming the game, Miedema scored her second, left alone in front of the goal, lobbing her shot over Nali.

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Barbra Banda looked to decrease the difference in the 17th minute, but she was stopped by Sari van Veenendaal. However, just two minutes later, she scored her Olympic debut goal for Zambia, making the scoreline 3-1.

Miedema completed the first hat-trick of Tokyo 2020 in the 29th minute, heading the ball into the back of the net. The goal in the 38th minute, giving the Netherlands a 5-1 lead, was a shot from distance by Martens.

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The first half finished 6-1 to the Dutch. There was yet an answer from the Zambian team, with Banda giving a centre pass from the right wing to Avell Chitundu, who missed the attempt.

The second half started with much intensity less from the Oranje – they played more calmly and the Copper Queens also used that to set up a better defence. The Zambians also managed to get into the penalty box, none of those attempts, however, finished with a goal.

But it was the Netherlands to score yet again before the hour mark, with Daniëlle van de Donk and Miedema against Nali. The latter then scored her fourth of the match.

Miedema was sent to rest just before the resume of the game, substituted by Lineth Beerensteyn. Later she was shown on the bench with ice on her right knee.

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Eventually, it was Beerensteyn to next get her name on the scoresheet, netting in the 75th minute. But it was not the end of a nightmare for Zambia, as five minutes later Victoria Pelova set a new Olympic goalscoring record to make it 10-1.

The 82nd and 83rd minutes saw goals to honour Zambia, with team captain Banda scoring a hat-trick and placing herself second in the goalscorers classification, just a goal behind Miedema.

The final 10-3 result saw the Netherlands take the top spot of Group F.

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