The second Semifinal between Netherlands and Sweden kicked off with the Euro champions looking to replicate their performance on World stage, and the Swedes looking to make a point.This was truly a Semifinal! It was all that makes one fall in love with football and much more! This is the level FIFA WWC aspires to offer in every possible match, and as the world develops, we’re not far from achieving that!Why such a sermonising write-up? Because for the first time around in this World Cup, the teams were equal- possession, shots, saves, and STATUS! They both had a point to prove, and did they do it! The possession shifted swiftly, periodically, equitably!
The Dutch made the run, threatened the Swedish box, the Swedes defended, started a counterattack instantly, and then they barged into the Dutch box. That is how the entire match went, and that was SPECTACULAR!
Unlike other matches, this post cannot have as many statistics because every 5 minutes a moment occurred, and singling out players seemed impossible as they were teams giving their 1000%!!!
After Ping-pong for so long :’), 35th minute saw Swede Jakobsson send in a pass, Dutch midfielder Lunteren shot to clear it for a corner. No. 9 Asllani took it, Rubensson got to it but her attempt was saved, Hurting tried on the rebound, yet again saved Dutch GK Veenendaal!
Dutch midfielder Spitse was particularly involved a lot on the field. She had 2-3 attempts on goal and a particular moment I loved was her narrowly saving an outside and keeping the ball in play as she slid and took the ball back in :’)
3 minutes were added in the first half and The teams just went on and on! Honestly, I couldn’t keep track of the gazillion things happening! Netherlands had learned from Sweden’s match against Germany about their long passes and threats on goal, and so the Dutch were careful to have at least 3 defenders back in the box at most times! That’s intelligence!
Second half kicked off.
47th minute gave a scare as Swede forward Blackstenius snatched the possession from an unaware Bloodworth, ran into the box, but the latter saved her shot sending it for a corner.
Swede No. 9 Asllani was brought down by Spitse- again in the 50th min as the former pointed to the referee: “3 times! “
51st minute saw the Dutch lodge a lengthy attack- Miedema got onto the ball, gave it to Van de Donk, after a quick touch went to Roord who came in as a substitute for Like Martens(the injured star!), again to Miedema, Lunteran came in to keep it going but Hurtig ultimately cleared the air by dispossessing Lunteran.
55 minute- Sweden won a corner kick, took it but Veenendaal punched away the first time, Fischer shot the rebound- but it hot the outer edge of the post on her left and went out of play for a goal kick! Close!
Highlights for Sweden were their No. 4 Glas’ throughballs! She got it out of anywhere and everywhere getting the ball to the attacking line-up! And of course, the world famous -Swedish long passes! Their GK Lindahl was seen actively coming out of the box to help up the attack, as Jacobsson, Blackstenius ran up the long passes!
60th min saw Asllani bring down Miedema- marking the 16th foul of the Swedish side!!! They were definitely winning in rough play! 😉
62nd minute and Beerensteyn ran with Lunteren’s pass, Swede No. 6 Ericsson blocked a cross to give the Dutch a corner. The ball came in, Miedema headed it and it hit GK’s gloves and the top bar, came back as Bloodworth took a shot, Beerensteyn swirled over it and finally the ball went out of play!
68th minute saw a marvellous moment as Asllani tackled from behind on the right flank and took a shot sideways to her left but saved by Dutch GK Veenendaal!
My hero :’) Van de Sanden ran onto the field in the 71st minute as substitute for Beerensteyn.
71st minute again, and it saw Asllani fall, rolled with the ball, got up with it close to her, and rushed a free kick almost mid air! The intensity!
75th minute and a corner was awarded to Sweden. Dutch No.7 Sanden sprinted with the counter attack alone, expressed her anger pretty obviously on her teammates for failing to run up to her, and ultimately won a corner. Corner ball was sent in and Van der Gragt flicked it with the sole of her boot, wide past her left post. Classy!
80th minute and Groenen was brought down by Swede Ericsson due to an intentional boot on thigh!In the next minute, she sent in a cross far ahead as Lindahl caught it.
82 minute and another corner for Sweden. Ericsson took it, Spitse headed it away as she stood right in front of the post to help Veenendaal. Another consecutive corner, GK punched it away, Asllani got to the rebound but shot it over the post.
84th minute came and Miedema ran with the ball, Roord slipped over as Fischer cleared it drifting it away to her left by a beautiful sliding tackle, Dutch No. 10 De Donk got to it but dispossessed as she waited too long to play it in.
86th minute and a free kick was awarded to Sweden from the right flank for de Donk’s challenge on Asllani. Ericsson took it and flew it just over the top net.
88th minute and Blackstenius made the run but Gragt slid to clear it.
89th minute and Van de Sanden created another chance for the Dutch as she sent in a pass from the right, De Donk flicked it to Miedema, who passed it to No. 4 Van Dongen, she passed it back, and sprinted ahead making her unavailable for the pass-back and possession was lost!
5 minutes were added to regulation time.
In the 1st added min, den Sanden shot and Lindahl just touched to deflect it over the top. That was a very close one!
5 minutes flew by and the match went to 30 minutes of EXTRA TIME! This was a first in the history of this tournament, and if you ask me, this match of Marvels HAD TO BE IT!
The teams geared up for another gruelling 30 minutes as their semifinal spots lay ahead unclaimed!
The 90 minutes had not tired them enough to stop them from fighting! They motored on, bettered themselves, vying to overcame their opponents.
Finally the drought was over as Groenen shot in a loose ball into the left corner of the net in the 99th minute to make 1-0 for Netherlands! The stadium was LIT!!!The Dutch support has been one of the most amazing and it showed. Be it in the stadium or outside, the Dutch fans have not shied away from doing everything possible to support their Girls!
That was the only goal and the edge-of-thr-seat match came to an as Netherlands booked their first ecmver FINALS BERTH IN FIFA WWC! They face the Masters, USA next on Sunday 7 June, and it will not be any easier! They have created history and will look to make it Platinum!
Sweden still has a shot at glory as it fights England for 3rd place on Saturday, 6 June, 8:30 pm on Sony Ten 2 (India).
We’re close to the end of this tournament, and do I hope it bedazzles me just like it has so far!
Godspeed to all!
Trailblazers! 
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