Women's World Cup: Netherlands top Group E, Cameroon claim late winner | OneFootball

Netherlands sealed top spot in Group E after claiming a 2-1 win over Canada on Thursday.

Lineth Beerensteyn scored the winning goal to send the Dutch side into the easier side of the knockout draw with the North American outfit in second.

In the group’s other game, a late goal saw Cameroon beat New Zealand 2-1, meaning they went through as a best third-place finisher.

Canada thought they had a penalty inside the first 10 minutes, but after a lengthy delay (something that’s becoming a theme in this tournament) the Video Assistant Referee decided that Jessie Fleming was tripped outside the area – and the North American’s couldn’t score from the resulting free kick.

That was really the only action of the first half, but into the second 45, and Netherlands put their marker on the game with a great, early goal.

A cross from the left found Anouk Dekker, who headed home from six yards.

But it didn’t take long for the Canadians to equalise. A well-worked move on the right-hand side saw Fleming cross to Christine Sinclair, with the Portland Thorn striker sliding in to poke past Sari van Veenendaal.

The Dutch didn’t let their heads drop though, and with 15 minutes to go got their winner.

Another low cross found its way across the six-year box and there was Beerensteyn to tap in.

Both sides, although on zero points, knew that a win would take them into the knockout round as a best third-place finisher.

Cameroon registered 22 shots to New Zealand’s nine, but the one that counted came from Ajara Nchout, who netted on the hour mark.

It looked to be enough for the African side, only for Aurelle Awona to score in her own net and take the score to 1-1.

But then with 95 minutes on the clock, Njoya Ajara netted the latest of winners to send her team into the last 16.