|
The Netherlands must tackle France in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals after Sweden denied the defending champions top spot in Group C on Sunday.Both teams won in their final group games, meaning they finished level on seven points and were separated by goal difference, having Clint Frazier Jersey drawn when they faced each other earlier in the tournament.Sweden thumpedPortugal 5-0 while the Netherlands were 4-1 winners against Switzerland following a rush of late goals. Sweden finished with a plus-six goal difference, two better than the Netherlands achieved.It means that five years on from triumphing on home soil, the Dutch must do it the hard way if they are to go deeper into this tournament, with David Robertson Jersey France having caught the eye, particularly in their 5-1 rout of Italy.France are certain to top Group D, while Sweden await the runner-up from that pool, with Italy, Iceland and Belgium all still in the hunt ahead of Mondays last round of matches.Sweden, who sit second in the FIFA rankings, behind only the United States, showed why they should be taken seriously as contenders to win this tournament as they mauled Portugal in Leigh.Filippa Angeldal scored twice for Sweden in the first half, and a Carole Costa own goal made it 3-0 at the break, before Kosovare Asllanis penalty and a late fifth from Stina Blackstenius completed the convincing victory. It matched Swedens Bernie Williams Jersey biggest victory at a European Championship.Captain Asllani said:We are feeling great. It was our goal to get through the group from the beginning. Today we had to win and we wanted to score as many goals as po sible to win the game.Quoted on UEFAs official website, she added: We have Matt Holliday Jersey a lot of respect for Portugal, they have developed a lot, but at the same time we just wanted to go all in and be as aggre sive as po sible in the last third. The Netherlands were without star striker Vivianne Miedema for a second succe sive game after her COVID-19 positive test, but they still got the win against the Swi s at Bramall Lane.It was a tight game until three late Dutch goals gave the scoreline a lopsided look. An own goal fromAna-Maria Crnogorcevic gave the Netherlands a 49th-minute lead, butGeraldine Reutelerlevelled up four minutes later.The teams remained locked until the 84th minute whenRomee Leuchter netted Gleyber Torres Jersey the first of her late double, withVictoria Pelova also scoring in the dying moments. |
|