Horan the heroine as holders earn Dutch draw

• Honours even in Wellington

• Roord and Horan on target for the 2019 finalists

• Result leaves both well placed to qualify

Goalscorers: Roord (17′), Horan (62′) USA battled back to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands in an enthralling rematch of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ final.

Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue with an unstoppable second-half header after Jill Roord had fired the Dutch in front to raise the real prospect of a first World Cup defeat in 19 matches for the record-four time champions.

Roord’s opener came after a bright start from the holders, with Lieke Martens relieving some sustained pressure with a powerful, piercing run into US territory. Victoria Pelova, having looked to have wasted the opportunity, found Roord at the second attempt and the Manchester City midfielder made no mistake, drilling a first-time shot low and hard beyond the helpless Alyssa Naeher.

This was the first time since 2011 that the Americans had fallen behind in a Women’s World Cup match, and their shock at finding themselves in this unfamiliar position was evident in some nervy, uncertain play that followed.

The half-time introduction of Rose Lavelle brought some much-needed intelligence and incision, and when the equaliser arrived, it was no surprise to see the elusive little midfielder playing her part.

Lavelle’s inswinging left-footed corner was measured to perfection, although Horan – in showing more desire than anyone else in white or orange, and powering home a textbook near-post header – deserved, and received, the lion’s share of the plaudits.

USA were a team transformed. But while they pressed hard for a winner, saw an Alex Morgan goal ruled out for offside and a Sofia Smith effort cleared off the line, the Dutch were able to hold on for a precious point.

The result leaves both sides well placed to qualify, with their main challenger for the section’s last-16 slots set to emerge from Portugal and Vietnam’s meeting in Hamilton later today.

This result brought to an end a run of six successive US wins against European opposition at the Women’s World Cup.

Jill Roord (Netherlands)

“It was a very competitive game against a very good team that we saw at the last World Cup do such good things. For us, I think the biggest thing to take away is going down a goal and coming up with an answer to that. Also the chances we created. We need to start finishing a few more of those.” Lindsey Horan, USA captain