Fifty-one games already played in the Fifa Women’s World cup, dreams fulfilled and dreams dashed, the long-awaited finals was with us. Twenty-two nations had been knocked out leaving the USA and Netherlands to contest the fifty-second game on July 7, 2019. The Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France was full of American and Dutch fans elated and eager to watch their teams battle it out and be christened the world champions, 2019. The USA being the defending champions was expected to defend their title against the Dutch ladies who were not a walkover team.
Right from kickoff, the American team was fiery and made several attacks towards the Dutch goal side. The Dutch goalkeeper was up to task, denying goals from the well laid out set pieces by the American attackers. The U.S. was methodical in its approach to the game, attacking the flanks of the Dutch defense early and often in an effort to spread the field and create chances for its plethora of attacking talents. Despite dominating 60 percent of possession in the first half, the U.S. initially had some difficulty with a packed-in Netherlands squad as neither team recorded a shot on goal in the first 20 minutes. Though the Dutch side made goal attempts too, they were not as good as the opponent’s attempts.
Veenendaal, who was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best ‘keeper, showed why she had been given that distinction beginning in the 27th minute when she batted away a blistering volley from Ertz. All through the first half, the crowd was wowing and cheering but no goal was scored. This led to a barren draw by the end of the first 45 minutes of the game. They took to the changing rooms were strategies had to be changed to see through a possible win from either side.
U.S. head coach Jill Ellis, who is now only four wins short of becoming the winningest coach in USWNT history, made two changes to the USA’s starting XI, returning Rapinoe to the forward line alongside Silver Boot winner Alex Morgan. Second half up and running, we could still see great attacking attempts on both sides until the fifty-seventh minute when Morgan waswrongfully tacked in the box. French referee Stephanie Frappart consulted a replay after the Video Assistant Referee contacted her and duly awarded the U.S. a penalty kick. Rapinoe took to the spot and skillfully sent the ball flying into the net leaving Veenendaal in awe. Megan Rapinoe, being considered the face of the tournament, graced the final by setting her team in the lead. The USA was up one goal to none.
The game continued with skillful plays from sides, several foul plays and determination from both sides. The Dutch side was eyeing to level the scores while the Americans were thirsting to secure their lead in the game. Eight minutes after the first goal, Dutch hearts were broken when Rosavel made a run with the ball and sent the ball spiraling to the back of the net. Her distant shot that came from amidst two Dutch defenders was too good to be stopped by the goalkeeper. The USA was ahead by two goals to none.
Naeher and the U.S. defense did their part at the other end, limiting the Netherlands to four second-half shots, only one of which was on goal... Tables were almost turned when Morgan brilliantly dismantled the Dutch defense in a bid to score. The Dutch goalkeeper denied her what apparently seemed like the winning goal of the finals.
An additional five minutes of play was awarded to the ninety minutes. The final whistle was blown and the American ladies were in joy for clinching the title for the fourth time in a row. The USA was crowned the FIFA Women’s World Cup champions.
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