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"They won't want to play us" Confident Netherlands coach after reaching Euro 2022 quarter-finals
The final spot in the Euro 2022 semi-finals is up for grabs tonight when France take on the Netherlands in Rotherham. The winner will face Germany in the next round completing a last-four line-up that also features England and Sweden. Both teams finished the group stages with seven points but that was enough to give France top spot in Group D whilst the Netherlands had to settle for second in Group C thanks to Sweden’s superior goal difference.
The French looked brilliant in their opening two matches, first beating Italy 5-1 before edging past a resolute Belgium 2-1 in the second game. Having already secured a place in the knockouts France were denied a third successive victory after Iceland converted a penalty 12 minutes into added time to earn a 1-1 draw in the final group match.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, had an interesting group stage. They held one of the pre-tournament favourites, Sweden, to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture - Jill Roord equalising after half-time - before making hard work of their second match against Portugual. The Dutch gave up a two-goal lead before Danielle van de Donk’s barnstorming finish in the second half secured them a 3-2 win. In the final group game Switzerland managed to take the lead but four second half goals saw the Netherlands march to victory and into the quarter-finals.
Tonight’s match also provides France with an opportunity to enact some revenge on the Netherlands and ease the heartache of 13 years ago, when the Dutch emerged victorious from a penalty shootout in the Euro 2009 tournament to advance to the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw. Will history repeat itself this evening?
Follow all the action from the Euro 2022 quarter-final between France and the Netherlands:
France 0-0 Netherlands
51 mins: Cascarino knocks the ball down to the left side of the box and sprints around two defenders before flicking it into the middle. Diani arrives late and can’t meet it properly on the half-volley.
She miscontrols it and Van der Gragt fires it away.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 21:08
France 0-0 Netherlands
48 mins: Kadidiatou Diani continues to be a huge threat. She’s quicker than the Dutch defender on the right and isn’t afraid of taking them on.
Diani drives into the penalty area and chips it over towards Melvine Malard but Dominique Janssen has it covered.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 21:04
Second half: France 0-0 Netherlands
Kick off: Mark Parson makes a change at half-time with Lineth Beerensteyn hooked in favour of Jill Roord. Roord has slipped into the no. 10 position with Danielle van de Donk moving over to the right side.
The Netherlands get the match back underway.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 21:01
France 0-0 Netherlands
France have dominated the first half. They’ve created 12 decent opportunities to score and even had six on target. In response the Netherlands have only created one attempt.
Stephanie van de Gragt has made two game-saving blocks and Delphine Cascarino has hit the post.
France will be gobsmacked at how this game is still level.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:50
Half-time: France 0-0 Netherlands
45 mins: Lineth Beerensteyn is tripped and makes a meal of the contact. It’s good acting as the Netherlands win a free kick just outside the French box.
Sherida Spitse curls it into the box but Renard heads it clear.
No added minutes and the teams head into the break.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:46
France 0-0 Netherlands
42 mins: Blocked! France are going to rue these chances.
They recycle the ball from the free kick and Wendie Renard stays up the pitch. The cross comes into the middle and she nods it down to Grace Geyoro. Geyoro is inside the six yard box and whacks it at goal but Stephanie van der Gragt is there once more to block it!
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:42
France 0-0 Netherlands
39 mins: Groenen crunches Diani to the deck as the winger looks to break down the right wing. She makes it all the way to the side of the box before being brought down and France win a free kick.
Perisset floats the set piece into the middle but it hits a Dutch head first and is knocked away.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:40
France 0-0 Netherlands
36 mins: Off the line! Take a bow Stephanie van der Gragt!
France win the ball in the Dutch half and switch the play over to Eve Perisset on the right wing. She dinks the ball into the box for Diani who cuts it back to Malard.
The goalkeeper is beaten as Malard takes a touch, she then shoots only for Van der Gragt to be covering and the defender blocks it off the line with her body!
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:38
France 0-0 Netherlands
30 mins: The Dutch aren’t threatening at all. Vivienne Miedema just can’t get into the game and they’re being outclassed in midfield.
Grace Geyoro tries to get forward and looks to twist around Van de Donk but she takes a knock and wins France a free kick.
Michael Jones23 July 2022 20:35