Netherlands reached the last eight of the Women’s European Championships as group winners after a 2-1 win over Belgium.
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Going into the game with two wins from two, Netherlands were almost guaranteed a place in the last eight, and they took the lead against Belgium on 27 minutes from the penalty spot. Jackie Groenen was brought down in the box and for the second game in a row, Sherida Spitse made no mistake from the spot.
However, Netherlands failed to build on their lead with star striker Vivianne Miedema once again hardly involved in the game. In the 57th minute, Belgium equalised through Tessa Wullaert, who tried to lift the ball back into the box but instead saw her attempted cross loop over the despairing Sari van Veenendaal.
In the 74th minute, Netherlands regained their lead with a stroke of fortune as Lieke Martens broke into the box before seeing her shot deflect off a Belgian leg and into the net. Miedema nearly made it 3-1 before the end but that didn’t matter as Netherlands held on to claim their third victory and top their group.
Netherlands now progress to the quarter-finals along with Denmark who beat Norway 1-0 in the group’s other game.
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