02 August,2023 07:30 AM IST | Dunedin (New Zealand) | AFP
Jill Roord of The Netherlands
The Netherlands powered into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup as group winners ahead of holders the United States with a 7-0 demolition of Vietnam on Tuesday.
Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord both scored twice in the biggest win yet at the Women's World Cup, eclipsing Germany's 6-0 thumping of Morocco. A crowd of 8,215 were treated to the Dutch goal bonanza in Dunedin. Dutch coach Andries Jonker's team made blitzed Vietnam, who have lost all three games on their Women's World Cup debut.
The Dutch scored their first four goals inside the opening 23 minutes, the pick of which saw Brugts hit the top corner. Lieke Martens grabbed the first goal with eight minutes played when she lobbed her marker and Vietnamese goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran. Forward Katja Snoeijs made it 2-0 three minutes later when she stroked her effort inside the post past the stranded Tran.
After Brugts's superb third, Roord volleyed in a cross for her first goal on 23 minutes.
With half-time approaching, Tran put in a superb save to deny Roord, but midfielder Danielle van de Donk was on hand to slot home the rebound to make it 5-0 at the break.
Tran was replaced in the Vietnam goal by Thi Hang Khong for the second half, while 17-year-old Wieke Kaptein came on to make her third appearance for the Dutch.
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Brugts scored again, from outside the area, when she fired into the opposite corner with a fierce strike that gave Khong no chance. Martens had a goal ruled offside by the VAR before Roord, who had also clattered the woodwork, headed in the seventh goal with seven minutes left.
Holders the United States survived a huge scare to reach the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw against Portugal, who were unlucky not to claim a sensational win at Eden Park that would have taken them through instead.
The USA struggled to impose themselves against opponents ranked 21st in the world and appearing at their first World Cup, and Portugal almost won the game in injury time when substitute Ana Capeta hit the post. Holding on for the draw means Vlatko Andonovski's side finish in second place in Group E.
Meanwhile, England thrashed China 6-1 on Tuesday to surge into the Women's World Cup knockout stages and set up a last-16 meeting with Nigeria where Lauren James scored twice and Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly scored a goal each.
In another match, Denmark defeated Haiti 2-0 in the other Group D match to come second and will face co-hosts Australia next.
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