Defending champions, United States of America will have to wait till their last group match to seal their qualification for the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, after they settled for a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.
In a repeat of the 2019 final, in which the Americans defeated the Europeans 2-0, Netherlands were determine to take their own pound of flesh and frustrated their opponents throughout the game.
Jill Roord gave Netherlands the lead with a clinical finish from the edge of the box in the 17th minute. The Americans pushed for an early equalizer but the Dutch defense stood firm until the 62nd minute when Lindsey Horan, the American skipper headed in an equalizer.
Both teams have four points, but US lead the group with a superior goal difference.
The United States will face Portugal as Netherlands take on Vietnam on Tuesday. Both matches will be played simultaneously. Later today, losers of their first group matches, Portugal and Vietnam will battle for supremacy in Hamilton.
