Group E match between Netherlands and Canada kicked off, their last group stage match. Both the teams have already qualified the nest round. The fight was for who’d finish on the Top!
The first shocker came right in the 2nd minute as played stopped for the VAR to check for a possible penalty for Canada. The decision was a free kick from right outside the box. Christine Sinclair took it and shot it right at the Dutch defense wall! Canada looked a bit off throughout, or rather, the Dutch were crisper and quicker than their opponents!
20th minute saw Canadian Huitema score but was ruled offside by quite a margin! The play went on as possession switched and switched and switched. Both the teams won the ball and lost it just as frequently as the other! It was sure the Battle of the Best! Had to be, they were the real threats of Group E.
In the 29th minute, Van de Sanden sent in a cross into the box from her right, de Donk got to it, GK Labbe cleared it, ball is sent back in but landed right in Labbe’s arms! And then the Dutch colonisation and attacks went on and on! The team transformed into their best forms! What I was extremely happy to see was De Sanden’s metamorphosis! Personally, I felt she was lacking the energy in the last match I watched (against New Zealand), but today she was on fire! She did not let the ball slip and made the run even if it was impossible to get to it!
We got the first glimpse as Sanden Made a terrific run in the 31st minute past the Canadian defense line, passed it to Miedema who shot it right at the left post (her left! 😉 ) and deflected from the inner side! No. 10 De Donk tried a spectacular bicycle kick on the deflection but it went wide! AMAZING EFFORT NONETHELESS!
The 38th minute saw another great Dutch run as Miedema chased the ball to the opponents’ box, Canadian GK Labbe sensed the threat (as the defense line laid exposed!) and rushes from her post to clear it. She does clear it, but Miedema got it back. Canada’s Buchanan sprinted towards her, dispossessed her, saved the goal but earned a yellow for her challenge!
Canada tried to hit back in the first half. Beckie tried her foot but Bloodworth cleared it efficiently.3 minutes were added to the first half.
The Dutch dominated the dominions, dazzling on the field, and delivered on their duties! 😀
The second half kicked off, both teams eager to score.
So, there was this particular moment where Mertens of Netherlands and Canada’s Fleming could be seen smack in the middle of the field, grappling for the ball for a good 2 minutes and none of the other players bothered to disturb them! Funny , but more importantly, PASSIONATE!
AAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD the moment came!The 54th minute delivered the maiden goal as Spitse sent in a free kick from the left corner and Dekker headed it in! What a header! It went right past the GK!
The Dutch were just coming out of euphoria when Canadian ace Christine Sinclair equalised in the 60th minute, minutes within the Dutch’s goal, thanks to a cross ball sent into the box by No. 10 Lawrence from the right flank. The celebrations were on. Sinclair had done it. They were LEVEL AGAIN!
The Women in Orange buckled up looking to lead. And it came around 10 minutes after Canada’s equaliser. Janssen made a run and sent in the ball from the right flank, Miedema got to it, swirled a bit and sent it further inside the box, Van Lunteren reached it and flocked it towards her left- Roord stretched out her leg but couldn’t reach it- but guess what, Beerensteyn reached it at this right moment at the right place just as it was meant to be and guided the ball to its rightful place- the Canadian Net! 😉
The Dutch were in the lead and remained to be for the rest of the match! That was a 75th minute goal!
Substitute Quinn was handed a quick yellow for a nasty challenge on Van de Donk in the 79th minute as she hit her face and almost walked over her head!
Canada tried to take that equaliser but the Orange were just too good today. Netherlands was not losing possession and was constantly in the attack mode. Beckie tried again as she headed wide again in the 82nd min.
4 minutes were added to regulation time.
Netherlands held onto their nerves and the ball till the final whistle went off signalling their 100% strike rate with a 3/3 wins and their promotion to the round of 16 as group leaders! The Euro champions defeated a seasoned powerhouse and contenders Canada. The Dutch will be a force to reckon at all stages, at all time, on all occasions in this World Cup. Canada will have to ripen their defense and get ready for massive challenges ahead as the competition gets tougher and grittier with time!
All the views above are author’s own. They are not meant to offend anyone. This is not an official coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. The author owns no rights in this tournament
Trailblazers! 
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