A first-half goal from Stefanie van der Gragt was enough for the Netherlands to hold on to a 1-0 win over Portugal.
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The Netherlands start Australia & New Zealand 2023 with a win
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Stefanie van der Gragt’s 13th minute goal earliest in tournament so far
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Portugal fall to defeat on tournament debut
Netherlands 1 – 0 Portugal | Group E
Goalscorers: Stefanie van der Gragt (13′)
France 2019 finalists the Netherlands have stamped their authority on Australia & New Zealand 2023, overcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup™ debutantes Portugal 1-0.
Oranjeleeuwinnen got their breakthrough early, when Stefanie van der Gragt’s powerful header at the edge of the six-yard box found the back of the net after a Sherida Spitse corner. It was initially ruled offside with Jill Roord was standing in an offside position, but it was adjudged that she did not interfere with play after a VAR review.
Portugal were unable to muster a single shot before the break, and the second half started much the same way as the first. A huge save was required from Ines Periera to keep out Danielle van de Donk. She was similarly called into action after Lineth Beerensteyn found space to turn and shoot.
Francisco Neto’s team grew into the game. Their best opportunity of the match came in the final ten minutes of regular time, substitute Fatima Pinto finding space in Netherlands’ penalty area and stinging the palms of Daphne van Domselaar.
In the end, the big game experience of the Netherlands told, as they held on for a narrow 1-0 victory.
Key stat
Stefanie van der Gragt’s goal in the 13th minute is the earliest goal scored at Australia & New Zealand so far and is the Netherland’s earliest goal-ever in the tournament.
Some 68% of you predicted the Netherlands to take all three points in our Hyundai Match Predictor.
VISA Player of the Match
Stefanie van der Gragt (Netherlands)
Quotes
“We knew we would suffer a bit in this match, as we were facing one of the best teams in the world. They are one of the main candidates for the title. We entered a little anxious, it’s normal, with it being our first match in the competition, but in the second half we managed to play more in their pitch, we were closer to the goal, but we couldn’t score.” Jessica Silva, Portugal forward
