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Without their most sensible scorer, the Netherlands scored a magnificent goal. The challenge for the champions was that it was mandatory to make them win against the last underdogs of the tournament. There is a clever possibility that the absence of Vivianne Miedema, who was ruled through Covid, would have admired the impressive decision-maker Danielle van de Donk. Perhaps it took something special to defeat a fierce Portuguese team but, they seemed unfortunate amid injuries and illnesses, the Netherlands’ defence of their name has not been convincing so far. And indeed, their defence was unconvincing as Portugal made a momentary comeback in the same number of games.
It contained too much drama for Holland’s taste, but it was evidence of Portugal’s irrepressible series. The late additions to the tournament, when Russia was kicked out, were one of the stories. Once again, they lost 2-0 and responded to a draw. This time, however, it wasn’t enough to give them a point and they will have to beat Sweden to avoid an untimely exit as the Dutch have one foot in the quarter-finals. However, they may envy their former manager, Sarina Wiegman, who has won twice so far, adding an 8-0 blowout. His successor, Mark Parsons, had a more nervous night as his team threatened to pay for their profligacy and defensive shortcomings.
As a palliative, he lost 4 key players, being forced to make adjustments in attack, midfield, defence and marksmanship with Miedema and Jackie Groenen absent while central defender Aniek Nouwen was injured in the draw against Sweden, and goalkeeper and captain Sari van Veenendaal was excluded. of the competition. Parsons’ plans were momentarily reconsidered and one of his adjustments brought an early justification when Damaris Egurrola scored the first goal for his country.
He rose higher to head Sherida Spitse’s corner on an afternoon when Portugal had reason to regret their inability to protect corners. Substitute skipper Spitse took them expertly and they scored two goals and almost a third. The moment came from the valentía. de Stefanie van der Gragt, who kicked in the face as she dived to nod towards Van de Donk’s shot. Then Van der Gragt generated a lot of force in a head only for Carole Costa to cross the line.
He shaped the first of an infrequent hat-trick of contributions from Costa, which also resulted in a goal and an assist. , however, they had withstood some early warnings. In the first 4 minutes, Tatiana Pinto did not score to shoot, Daphne van Domselaar deflected her shot and Ana Borges was offside and denied a goal.
If Portugal had a standout fan club, with the Manchester City trio of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo lending to Leigh’s elegant seating edition, their compatriots gave them much to applaud. They produced an entrepreneurial presentation, with the exceptional Jessica Silva demonstrating speed and skill; a rabona has won specific applause from vocal enthusiasts in Portugal.
The surprise, perhaps, was that his goals did not involve him, his namesake Diana Silva played a central role in both. It was triggered through Dominique Janssen, an offensive referee that Ivana Martincic had overlooked in the first place. A VAR intervention afterwards and Costa was able to score the penalty.
Then Portugal made a very good start to the second half. About 30 minutes later, Pinto had a well-saved header through Van Domselaar. Portugal, however, drew afterwards, with Costa crossing Diana Silva to plant an emphatic header and the Netherlands, who conceded just 3 goals in winning Euro 2017, had already conceded 3 at Euro 2022.
It looked like Jill Roord had put the Dutch back in the lead, but a clinical finish was cancelled out for a marginal offside after an endless delay in VAR. Instead, they regained the lead in a memorable way, with Van de Donk’s 25. Effort of two meters. He is a worthy winner, but whether or not he demonstrates the purpose of the tournament, the Dutch would probably want more solidity for the team.