Women's Euros: Oranje squeeze past Portugal for first win

Sheffield, July 14

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Danielle van der Donk scored the winning goal as defending champions the Netherlands got their first win at the European Championship with a team reduced by illness and injury, beating Portugal 3-2.

Coming off an opening draw with Sweden, the Netherlands were without Vivianne Miedema after the star forward tested positive for the coronavirus. Three other players are either in isolation or injured.

Early on against Portugal, it didn’t seem to matter. The Dutch team surged into a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes thanks to headers by Damaris Egurrola and Stefanie van der Gragt, both scored from corners as Portugal failed to cope with the Netherlands at set pieces. Van der Gragt paid a price for her goal as she was struck in the face by an opponent’s boot as she dived to head the ball. Portugal found a way back into the game when Dutch defender Dominique Janssen tripped Diana Silva and gave away a penalty, which was converted in the 38th minute by Carole Costa. It was Silva’s turn to score the second two minutes after the break with a near-post header. The Netherlands claimed a third goal by Jill Roord soon after but it was ruled out after a video review taking several minutes, only for van der Donk to restore the Dutch lead with a curling shot into the top-right corner.

Earlier, Sweden also claimed their first win, beating Switzerland 2-1. — AP