Netherlands 1-0 Portugal: Stefanie van der Gragt early goal seals opening Women’s World Cup win for 2019 finallists
— Stefanie van der Gragt scored on a header in the 13th minute, leading the Netherlands to a 1-0 win over Portugal at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday as the 2019 finalists began their tournament run.
The Dutch defender gathered herself as teammate Sherida Spitse lofted a corner kick her way, then headed the ball across the goal into the far side of the net. An offside review delayed the celebration.
The goal by the 30-year-old van der Gragt, who plans to retire after the Women’s World Cup, was the quickest first goal of the tournament. The Dutch controlled the tempo of the game — Portugal’s first shot of the match didn’t come until the 82nd minute.
The meeting with the Netherlands, ranked No. 9 in the world, marked Portugal’s first-ever tournament appearance.
On hand were 11,991 spectators, who were sheltered from the rain inside Dunedin’s covered Forsyth Barr Stadium, known as the Glasshouse, which has a capacity of 25,947.
The Netherlands move level with group leaders United States on three points but sit second on goal difference ahead of super clash.
What's Next.?
Netherlands heads to the Group E showdown against the U.S. on Thursday in Wellington. Portugal faces Vietnam, Thursday's titanic clash - a repeat of the 2019 final where the Americans won their fourth World Cup crown. That match is in Hamilton, with the loser likely out of contention for the round of 16.
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apnews.com
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