Keith McInnes / SPP
The second day of the 2023 FIFA Girls’s World Cup knockout rounds began with Netherlands defeating South Africa and can end with the U.S. girls’s nationwide staff’s World Cup on the road in opposition to Sweden.
Couldn’t watch and must know what the large story is? That is what occurred on the second day of the World Cup Spherical of 16.
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Netherlands 2, South Africa 0
The Large Story: The Netherlands made it consecutive journeys to the quarterfinals of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa. Jill Roord gave the 2019 runners-up the lead within the ninth minute and Lineth Beerensteyn–who was injured within the group stage–doubled the lead within the second half. The Netherlands will subsequent face Spain however will achieve this with out Danielle van de Donk whose second yellow card of the event means an computerized suspension.
The Large Second: The second aim made the Dutch extra snug and it got here from Beerenstyn. It was a hopeful, left-footed shot from out broad that gave the impression to be a simple catch for Kaylin Swart however she missed it after which slammed each fingers to the pitch as she watched her misplay roll into the aim for the backbreaker.
What it means: Defensive points dotted each Netherlands objectives. On the opener, Lieke Martins headed a nook kick towards the close to publish. Lebohang Ramalepe had it coated however her clearance popped up within the air and to her proper permitting Roord to swoop in and simply head it residence to make it 1-0.
Netherlands needs to be gaining confidence as they head to the final 8 having but to concede a aim from open play. That’s to not say they didn’t give South Africa some probabilities. Thembi Kgatlanta particularly had many sensible moments together with one within the closing moments of the primary half when she acquired in behind the Dutch protection and examined Daphne van Domselaar who was in a position to make the save and hold her facet forward into the half.
The short-term take a look at for coach Andries Jonker will probably be to navigate the midfield battle with out van de Donk. Spain will need to possess their method via Netherlands’ crowded midfield and van de Donk is a key cog in retaining that from occurring.
South Africa depart the nation’s second World Cup in significantly better place than its first. After being outscored 8-1 in three losses in 2019, they escaped their group this time with among the wildest swings conceivable. The ultimate swing was Kgatlana’s stoppage-time aim that sunk Italy and vaulted Banyana Banyana into the Spherical of 16. South Africa additionally misplaced two gamers to harm within the first half and thus had been two subs and two sub home windows down popping out of halftime. They confirmed some indicators of late life however finally spent an excessive amount of of the second half sitting again and permitting Netherlands to casually knock the ball round as excessive as the beginning of South African defensive territory. Subsequent up is a visit to Cincinnati and Chicago the place South Africa is scheduled to tackle the U.S. in a pair of September friendlies.
— Dan Lauletta
The Quarterfinals:
Spain vs. Netherlands on August 10 at 9 pm ET
