Renate Jansen’s ninetieth-minute winner noticed the Netherlands beat England 2-1 within the Nations League, with the Lionesses shedding solely their third sport underneath Sarina Wiegman.
Andries Jonker’s aspect have been trying to atone for a shock defeat to Belgium of their opener on Friday, and did simply that with an excellent first-half efficiency. Lieke Martens’ high quality, curling end within the thirty fourth minute noticed the hosts deservedly forward on the break – though replays present there was an offside within the construct-up.
England struggled for a lot of the opening 45 minutes, outplayed and outfought in nearly each space. However, a tactical tweak at half-time from Wiegman – enjoying her dwelling nation on Dutch soil for the primary time – noticed the Lionesses enhance.
They made it depend too as Russo – who had been rested for the win in opposition to Scotland – scooped dwelling the equaliser within the sixty fourth minute, netting her fifteenth aim in 30 worldwide caps.
But the Lionesses have been sloppy all through and a poor go from Alex Greenwood was devoured up by Jansen, who despatched a ninetieth-minute rocket previous Mary Earps to safe the Netherlands’ first win of the Nations League marketing campaign.
How England have been crushed in Utrecht
The Netherlands have been the much better aspect within the first half, however didn’t work the goalkeeper as a lot as they might have favored early on. However, Jill Roord’s effort from vary was collected by the Earps within the twenty first minute.
Not lengthy after an angled effort from Caitlin Dijkstra compelled one other high quality save from Earps, the Netherlands deservedly went forward.
Errors from Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway allowed Danielle van de Donk to play the ball into Martens ft, along with her high quality curling end beating each Earps and Bright. Replays confirmed Van de Donk was offside, however with no VAR, the aim stood.
England lastly sprang into life within the final 5 minutes of the half. It started after Rachel Daly flicked an effort onto the put up out of just about nothing, with each Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze then forcing spectacular saves from Daphne van Domselaar.
Immediately after, the Netherlands may have doubled their lead. However, Lineth Beerensteyn may solely carry her personal effort onto the highest of the crossbar in a flurry of late exercise.
England reverted to a again 4 within the second half, with Chloe Kelly changing Daly. It noticed Lauren Hemp transfer out to the left-wing, the place she was far more practical. Just earlier than the hour, she compelled a sensational level-clean cease from Van Domselaar on the again put up as Hemp went to fit dwelling.
The strain continued to develop from England and so they equalised quickly after. Stanway’s cross into the world pinged off a Netherlands defender, touchdown within the path of Russo. She then caught out a foot to skilfully scoop the ball into the highest nook.
The sport then opened up for either side as they labored the respective goalkeepers, and it heading for a draw till the ninetieth minute.
An unconvincing go from Greenwood allowed Jansen to pounce. She then drove into the world and hammered an outstanding end previous a leaping Earps, securing a deserved win for the Netherlands.
What’s subsequent?
Most of the England contingent will now return to their respective WSL golf equipment – Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway apart – to kick off the home marketing campaign on October 1.
The Lionesses are subsequent in motion in late October in a Belgium double-header, which begins on the King Power Stadium on October 27, and ends with a visit to the Den Dreef Stadion in Leuven on October 31.
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