2019 FIFA Wome’s World Cup.

Lyon, France July 07th, 2019 (FOX Sports) The USA has defeated the Netherlands 2-0 to claim its fourth World Cup.In the 59th minute of the clash in Lyon, the VAR called for a referral on a challenge from Stefanie van der Gragt on the USA’s Alex Morgan.

Referee Stephanie Frappart reviewed the vision and pointed to the spot. USA star Megan Rapinoe stepped up and slotted the penalty to give her side the lead.

Then, in the 69th minute, the USA doubled their lead through Rose Lavelle. The talented midfielder scythed her way through the Netherlands defence, with van der Gragt among those turned inside out, then unleashed a scintillating strike into the bottom corner.

From there, the USA dominated the clash to record its second-consecutive World Cup win.

If there was any sense of pre-game inevitability that the USA had the firepower to deliver a fourth World Cup, the Netherlands did everything in their power to dispel that. Five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 45 minutes, half-time.

For everything the USA threw at the Netherlands, the underdogs in orange held out, keeping a clean sheet for an entire half something no other team has managed this tournament.In the process, they raised the hopes of those in orange that someone might be able to deliver a performance capable of dismantling the reigning champions.

This game couldn’t have posed a more exciting challenge. In one corner was a USA side that had thrilled, spilled and ultimately dominated. This was a team that had faced challenges from the likes of France, England and even Spain and come out the other side on top.

This was a team that had faced criticism for its celebrations, scrutiny on its top players including Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan – but had instead risen to the occasion, over and over. In the other corner was a Netherlands outfit that by its own admission had largely failed to deliver the type of exhilarating football it was renowned for – but instead had found grit in defence and a tenacity that had carried it through to its first decider.

And it was the latter that came to the fore in the opening half, as a wall of orange defended astutely, then looked to attack on the counter. It was a clever tactical approach, and the resilient Netherlands defence and midfield were willing to throw everything into the game to ensure it worked.

Meanwhile, Vivianne Miedema worked hard to hold up the ball, with Lineth Beerensteyn offering a chaos-creating presence up top.

Indeed, what arguably summed up the early running of the game was that goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal was just about the best player of the opening half. The Netherlands captain turned in one of the great goalkeeping performances – something reflective of a tournament that has been one for the custodians, not just the forwards.

For one attempt, she used her foot to flick the ball into her own post. For another, a diving save proved enough to deny a scintillating long-range strike from Alex Morgan. Even when the USA had found chinks in the orange armour, van Veenendaal proved a final, impenetrable layer. But as the clock ticked into the 60th minute, the breakthrough came.

Stefanie van der Gragt, worried by the looming presence of Alex Morgan, attempted to clear the ball with a high kick – but made contact with the star American in the process. When referee Stephanie Frappart made her way over to the VAR screen, there seemed little doubt the spot-kick would be awarded.

 And when the irrepressible Rapinoe – who had been relatively quiet throughout the game off the back of a hamstring injury – stepped up to take the kick, there was little van Veenendaal could do as she blasted it home. All of a sudden, the picture was a very familiar one again albeit 45 minutes later than we’ve gotten used to this tournament: the USA in control on the scoreboard, and ready to scrap like a dog with a bone to hold onto it for dear life.

© 2019 ALL RIGTHS RESERVED
MSH WorldWide By Marcelo Santiago Hernández™.