USA 1-1 Netherlands: Lindsey Horan rescues the United States from defeat at Women’s World Cup

Captain Lindsey Horan got here to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women’s World Cup.

The Stars and Stripes have been a superpower on the world stage, profitable their earlier 13 matches spanning three tournaments, however they struggled to breakdown a resolute Netherlands defence till Horan equalised with a header from a nook.

In a repeat of the 2019 last – which the USA gained 2-0 in Lyon – Savannah DeMelo fired large when the sport was goalless whereas Trinity Rodman compelled Daphne van Domselaar right into a fingertip save moments after the Dutch had taken the lead.

It seemed like being a bitterly irritating day for the USA when Julie Ertz had a header deflected behind earlier than Horan equalised.

The United States keep prime of Group E with 4 factors from two video games – the similar quantity as the Netherlands who path on aim distinction.

“We performed brilliantly and at times it was really fantastic,” mentioned Netherlands coach Andries Jonker. “You need to be proud of 1-1.

“These video games are battles from the first second to the final. The solely factor you’ll be able to say is that ladies’s soccer has advanced extremely.

“We’re there, along with the US, and I’m very satisfied with that.”

The USA face Portugal subsequent at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday (08:00 BST) whereas the Netherlands play Vietnam in Dunedin at the similar time.

Portugal and Vietnam, who’re each but to file some extent, play their second group sport later in Hamilton (08:30 BST).

Netherlands present they imply enterprise

Both units of followers applauded their groups off the pitch at full-time after an entertaining affair in entrance of 27,312 followers.

Wellington was awash with color hours earlier than the lunchtime kick-off native time as followers took to the streets of New Zealand’s capital metropolis early.

There was a carnival environment inside the fan park with some supporters dressed prime to toe in stars and stripes. Others from the Netherlands arrived at the floor in nationwide costume.

One supporter inside the floor held up an indication saying: “They’re not just women, they’re legends”.

Helicopters buzzed above the metropolis from early morning including to the sense of event, whereas US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was on official enterprise in the metropolis, broke off from talks to cheer on the defending champions.

Billed as the largest fixture of the 48 group video games happening in Australia and New Zealand, it didn’t disappoint.

The United States, who additionally defeated the Netherlands at the Olympics in 2021, are strongly tipped to win a fifth World Cup regardless of 14 of their gamers showing at their first World Cup.

But Andries Jonker’s aspect produced a completely spectacular efficiency and seemed set to ship out a robust message till Horan’s equaliser.

The Netherlands had required a 93rd-minute winner of their last qualifying sport towards Iceland simply to make this World Cup.

Yet regardless of being denied the providers of influential ahead Vivianne Miedema due to harm, the 2019 runners-up as soon as once more look as if they might go deep on this event.

USA responsible of wastefulness

The United States are but to fireplace on all cylinders at this World Cup.

Vlatko Andonovski’s aspect have been responsible of losing a hatful of possibilities of their 3-0 win over debutants Vietnam, whereas towards the Dutch they as soon as once more created sufficient alternatives to have taken most factors.

“In the first half, we allowed them to take control of the tempo and slow down the tempo a lot more than we wanted,” mentioned the USA coach.

“It was a difficult match and even though it didn’t finish the way we wanted it to finish, I thought it was a very good match.”

There was frustration when Alex Morgan, who had a penalty saved towards Vietnam, thought she had scored the winner after poking Trinity Rodman’s move into the internet.

However, it was dominated out for offside whereas Rodman dragged a terrific likelihood large in the closing levels.

“I think the first half, we could be a little disappointed in how we played but I think we fixed things right away,” mentioned captain and goalscorer Horan.

“The pressure that we got on, the amount of chances and opportunities that came from it – I’m so proud of the team and their response.”

Andonovski will count on his gamers to be firing after they return to Auckland subsequent week to face Portugal in the third and last group sport.