The Netherlands secured a quarter-final spot against Spain at the Fifa Women’s World Cup but not before enduring several anxious moments against South Africa.
Jill Roord, Manchester City’s new club record signing, nodded the Dutch ahead in the ninth minute but South Africa went close to equalising several times against the 2019 runners-up.
Banyana Banyana captain Thembi Kgatlana was once again a real handful and forced four fine saves from Daphne van Domselaar, Aston Villa’s new goalkeeper, at Sydney Football Stadium.
Lineth Beerensteyn doubled the lead after a mistake by South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart in the second half.
The Netherlands will return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington next Friday (02:00 BST) for a place in the semi-finals.
Another lightning start
The Dutch are two wins from reaching back-to-back finals after another lightning start at this tournament.
Roord’s early header, after Lieke Martens had been denied by a clearance off the line, was the sixth time they have scored inside 20 minutes.
Their second goal was a gift, Swart allowing a seemingly routine shot by the recalled Beerensteyn to slip through her grasp and into the net.
It was a horrible moment for the keeper but it secured the Dutch their third win of the tournament.
They have had a near-perfect World Cup so far and were only denied victory over four-time world champions the United States by Lindsey Horan’s equaliser.
Andries Jonker, the former assistant to Louis van Gaal at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, has been tasked with going one step further than the last World Cup when Sarina Wiegman’s side were defeated 2-0 by the United States in France.
They head into the quarter-finals in fine form and with Spain in their sights.
More to follow.
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Netherlands
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Squad number1Player namevan Domselaar
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Squad number8Player nameSpitse
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Squad number3Player namevan der Gragt
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Squad number20Player nameJanssen
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Squad number14Player nameGroenen
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Squad number17Player namePelova
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Squad number6Player nameRoord
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Squad number10Player namevan de Donk
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Squad number22Player nameBrugts
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Squad number7Player nameBeerensteyn
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Squad number11Player nameMartens
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Squad number2Player nameWilms
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Squad number9Player nameSnoeijs
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Squad number12Player nameBaijings
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Squad number18Player nameCasparij
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Squad number21Player nameEgurrola
South Africa
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Squad number1Player nameSwart
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Squad number2Player nameRamalepe
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Squad number13Player nameMbane
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Squad number4Player nameMatlou
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Squad number7Player nameDhlamini
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Squad number3Player nameGamede
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Squad number19Player nameBiyana
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Squad number12Player nameSeoposenwe
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Squad number10Player nameMotlhalo
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Squad number8Player nameMagaia
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Squad number11Player nameKgatlana
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Squad number6Player nameCesane
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Squad number14Player nameMakhubela
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Squad number17Player nameKgadiete
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Squad number23Player nameShongwe
Line-ups
Netherlands
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 1van Domselaar
- 8Spitse
- 3van der Gragt
- 20Janssen
- 14Groenen
- 17PelovaSubstituted forWilmsat 89′minutes
- 6RoordSubstituted forSnoeijsat 90+3′minutes
- 10van de DonkBooked at 67minsSubstituted forEgurrolaat 76′minutes
- 22BrugtsSubstituted forCasparijat 89′minutes
- 7Beerensteyn
- 11MartensSubstituted forBaijingsat 90+3′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Wilms
- 4Nouwen
- 5van Dongen
- 9Snoeijs
- 12Baijings
- 13Jansen
- 15Dijkstra
- 16Kop
- 18Casparij
- 19Kaptein
- 21Egurrola
- 23Weimar
South Africa
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Swart
- 2Ramalepe
- 13MbaneSubstituted forMakhubelaat 42′minutes
- 4Matlou
- 7Dhlamini
- 3Gamede
- 19Biyana
- 12SeoposenweSubstituted forShongweat 30′minutes
- 10MotlhaloSubstituted forKgadieteat 90+2′minutes
- 8MagaiaSubstituted forCesaneat 90+2′minutes
- 11Kgatlana
Substitutes
- 5Magama
- 6Cesane
- 9Salgado
- 14Makhubela
- 16Dlamini
- 17Kgadiete
- 18Holweni
- 21Moletsane
- 22Kgoale
- 23Shongwe
- Referee:
- Yoshimi Yamashita
- Attendance:
- 40,233
Live Text
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Match ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.
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Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, South Africa 0.
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Hand ball by Jackie Groenen (Netherlands).
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Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Daphne van Domselaar.
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Attempt saved. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tiisetso Makhubela.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Jill Baijings replaces Lieke Martens.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Katja Snoeijs replaces Jill Roord.
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Substitution, South Africa. Noxolo Cesane replaces Hildah Magaia.
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Substitution, South Africa. Melinda Kgadiete replaces Linda Motlhalo.
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Attempt missed. Kholosa Biyana (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Bongeka Gamede.
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Kerstin Casparij (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa).
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Substitution, Netherlands. Lynn Wilms replaces Victoria Pelova.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Kerstin Casparij replaces Esmee Brugts.
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Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Kholosa Biyana (South Africa).
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Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Netherlands) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Lineth Beerensteyn.
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Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa).
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Jackie Groenen (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
