Groenen’s goal puts Netherlands in World Cup final
LYON, France — Thanks to Jackie Groenen taking advantage of a golden opportunity, it’s the Netherlands versus the United States for the Women’s World Cup championship.
Groenen scored in the 99th minute Wednesday, lifting the Netherlands to a 1-0 victory over Sweden in a semifinal clash at Stade de Lyon.
Groenen received the ball outside the penalty area, but the midfielder felt she had to seize her opening.
“I saw a nice angle,” Groenen said. “We’ve been discussing this for a couple of weeks now that I need to take shots more often. The ball just came really nicely, and I thought, ‘Let’s do this.’ ”
A slick passing sequence ended with Groenen driving a shot past goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl. A first shot on target in France produced her first goal of the tournament.
“I’m not much of a scorer,” she said.
“But I’m very happy today I got to score.”
It sent the Netherlands into its first World Cup final. Two years after the Dutch won their first major trophy — the European Championship — Groenen is already dreaming of a first world title in only their second
attempt.
“It kind of went through my mind as soon as I got off the pitch,” she said. “The Americans are massive, they have massive players. They are the biggest team in the world, but I can’t wait to play.”
Progress for the Dutch has been rapid after reaching the round of 16 during their World Cup debut four years ago. Groenen, who plays for Manchester United’s recently formed women’s team, could become a world champion by beating the defending champions.
“We are very down to earth, but they have their own qualities and we have ours,” she said.
After a draining game in sweltering central France, the Dutch have one less day than the Americans to prepare for the title game, and they will have to be more potent up front to overcome the athletic three-time champions.
The second semifinal was no match for the drama, tension and high energy of the previous night when the U.S. beat England 2-1.
The game featured few scoring chances and was only lit up by the goalkeeping in regulation time — particularly in the second half.
A shot from Nilla Fischer was creeping into the net in the 56th minute until Netherlands goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal tipped it onto the post.
It was the crossbar that denied the Dutch in the 64th minute when a header from Vivianne Miedema was pushed onto the frame by Lindahl’s fingertips.
“I felt like we had a golden opportunity to take this team to the final, and we didn’t take it,” Lindahl said. “Very disappointed.”