This was published 1 year ago
That’s all I have for you this afternoon as the USA and Netherlands finish their clash in a 1-1 draw.
I appreciate all the interactions and please take a little rest before joining us tonight for our live blog for the Matildas v Nigeria game which should start soon after 7pm ahead of the 8pm kickoff.
Thanks again for joining us and have a lovely afternoon.
Netherlands’ goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar takes the ball and is clattered into by a USA’s Julie Ertz.Credit: AP
USA captain Lindsey Horan admits she lost her cool at Dutch star and club teammate Danielle van de Donk after the pair collided during an attempted tackle in the second half.
But Horan responded moments later with a goal leaping into Rose Lavelle’s inch-perfect cross to head home the equaliser as USA and Netherlands finished in a 1-1 draw.
USA captain Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal.Credit: Reuters
Horan and van de Donk play together at French club Lyon but fiercely contested the game between the two nations who competed in the 2019 final.
“Me and Dana always go up against each other, I respect her so much and that is how it should be - competitive at all times,” Horan told broadcasters post game.
“Straight after that tackle I wanted to score.
“In the heat of the moment, I got a bit pissed at her [van de Donk] but Rose put in an absolute dime and I got on the end of it.”
Horan said her side, which features several young players, had done well to take a draw but needed to convert more scoring chances after having 17 shots to just four from Netherlands.
“It was unbelievable. I felt the momentum the whole time,” Horan said.
“We can be a little disappointing in how we played [in the first half] but I’m proud of the team and the response.
“It’s against a really good opponent. For us, it’s going down a goal and being able to tie. We have to finish more chances.”
USA coach Vlatko Andonovski only made one substitute in this match, and it was a good one in playmaker Rose Lavelle, but he has faced some instant criticism for not sending fresh legs onto the field.
Former USA men’s international turned commentator Stu Holden tweeted that he felt the Oranje were there for the taking in the final minutes.
I partially agree but Rodman and Smith created several strong chances in the final 10 minutes and how could he replace Horan given her strength in the box?
Who wants to be a coach?
The Netherlands deserved their lead after Jill Roord’s inch-perfect strike in the first half and the USA earned their equaliser via the head of captain Lindsey Horan in the second half.
The two sides will take a point each and this group will likely come down to goal difference.
Netherlands’ Damaris Egurrola, left, and United States’ Lindsey Horan compete to head the ball.Credit: AP
For mine, these two sides are the two best sides not named Germany in this event so far although I didn’t see Brazil’s entire first game and they were said to be impressive.
We knew the USA were very good, now we know the Oranje are every bit as good.
Sadly, these two sides cannot face off in the tournament final, according to the commentators, so it looks very possible they could face off in the semi-finals should both of them keep marching on.
We have five minutes of injury time to play.
NED 1, USA 1 after 90 mins.
Smith put Rodman into goal on the left channel which meant she had to shoot across the goal and her shot was always going wide.
There are a few chances in these last minutes, this has been an exhausting game.
NED 1, USA 1 after 82 mins.
Tireless USA midfielder Julie Ertz has executed a perfect dive to block a goal-bound shot from Brugts.
The Netherlands attacker was almost on the penalty spot and pounded a low shot, only to see Ertz’s diving tackle block the ball, sending it out of bounds.
That sort of effort is why the USA have won the past two World Cups.
NED 1, USA 1 after 81 mins.
United States’ Julie Ertz, left, and Netherlands’ Katja Snoeijs jump for a header.Credit: AP
Alex Morgan looked to have consummately tapped home a shot after being put into goal but she was called offside and the replay showed she was clearly ahead of the last defender.
But the USA have their groove back. This will be a pulsating final 20 minutes.
NED 1, USA 1 after 70 mins.
Trinity Rodman of the US in action with the Netherlands’ Esmee Brugts.Credit: Reuters
USA captain Lindsey Horan has bolted to the near post and sent in a powerful header, just moments after clashing with Dutch star Danielle van de Donk.
Just before the goal, two of the biggest stars in this game collided, with van de Donk taking down Horan, who limped away, furious.
United States’ Lindsey Horan, top right, heads the ball to score her team’s first goal.Credit: AP
They were still arguing the toss as the USA prepared to take the corner until Horan responded immediately with the headed goal.
The game is tied. Horan is elated.
NED 1, USA 1 after 63 mins.