Netherlands 3 Wales 0
July 5 – Netherlands cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Euros debutants Wales in Lucerne, giving the Dragons a first, if slightly bitter, taste of the challenge that Group D poses.
Amongst the delighted Netherlands squad, striker Vivienne Miedema will be particualrly pleased, having scored her record-extending 100th goal for her nation. She opened the scoring to set her team on its winning path.
Preceding the tie, the 16,800-seater Swissporarena fell silent to pay its respects to Portuguese brothers Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, who died in a car crash early Thursday morning.
The match opened slowly, as we’ve seen often in this tournament so far, with both teams looking to find their footing in aggressive and high-energy surroundings. It saw only one shot on target inside the first 40 minutes – a statement to the strength of the first-half midfield stalemate.
Dutch midfielder Jill Roord (pictured top right) came inches away from breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute with a thunderous effort that struck the post as Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark watched and prayed.
Seconds before the first half was due to close, talisman Vivianne Miedema, who has so often been the saviour for the Netherlands, opened the scoring with a signature whipped finish into the top right corner.
It took just two minutes of the second half for the Dutch to double their lead, thanks to a perfectly timed run from Danielle Van de Donk who laid up Victoria Pelova for a drilled finish into the bottom left corner. Wales had done well to disrupt the Dutch rhythm until this point, but it already look like their grip was loosening, and quick.
Jill Roord then hit the woodwork for a second time – so close to picking up a double of her own – as the Dutch attack proved too hot to handle for the Welsh. Their stubborn defending in the first half was beginning to show serious holes.
Capitalising on their period of dominance, Netherlands made it 3-0 in the 56th minute through fullback Esme Brugts. She latched on to the end of a beautiful cross from Van de Donk, tapping in a close-range finish at the back post.
Wales were in free fall and never quite found their footing from that goal onwards. Another 40 minutes played out with no major opportunities, with both teams seemingly settling for the result.
The scoreline represented a rude awakening for the Dragons in their first major tournament, finals where they still have to face FIFA top-10 nations France and England in their mission to escape Group D. A mission which looks close to impossible.
Ahead of the match, Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson called it a “wonderful opportunity” for the team to “test themselves against one of the top nations”. The contest indeed provided her team with a valuable taste of tournament action against a top side, though the result won’t give them much confidence heading into next week’s clash with France.
On the other side of the dugout, Dutch coach Andries Jonker spoke highly of Wales before the match: “Wales have a really good team, and they deserve to be here, and we take them seriously. We are really aware of the difficulties of this match.”
Those difficulties failed to present themselves in any meaningful fashion, as Netherlands cruised to the top of Group D. They will now look to prepare for England in Zurich next Wednesday in what is expected to be their toughest test of the group stages and an opportunity for Jonker’s side to make a real statement.
| Grp D | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| France | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| England | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Wales | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1751791363labto1751791363ofdlr1751791363owedi1751791363sni@g1751791363niwe.1751791363yrrah1751791363