Women’s World Cup: Final Re-Run has Ingredients for Compelling Fare

USA vs Netherlands

As Women’s World Cup meetings go, there will be fewer bigger tournaments than this one.

This is a clash between the reigning world champions and the former European champions and that introduction alone tells us what we need to know.

Yes, an early group game it may be but a repeat of the 2019 final is set to showcase some of the best players in Australia and New Zealand over the next month.

In addition, the winners will know that victory can potentially make their route to the latter stages, on paper at least, a little more comfortable.

Talking Points

Their meeting in the showpiece four years ago was decided by a Megan Rapinoe penalty and a Rose Lavelle goal and Rapinoe may well be a key figure once again in what is her last tournament after she recently announced her plans to retire.

She made her 200^th appearance for the Stars and Stripes – 17 years to the weekend since she made her debut – at the weekend as they saw off minnows Vietnam in their tournament opener.

The USA arrived in New Zealand as favourites but tougher tests lie ahead and only after Thursday’s match against the Netherlands in Wellington will their fans learn more about whether they can make it three World Cup successes in a row.

As for the Dutch, they were less convincing in their opener but got the job done and that is all that mattered as they saw off Portugal.

A 13^th minute header from Stefanie van der Gragt was enough to secure victory in Dunedin.

Perhaps there is too much expected of the Dutch.

Remember, this is only their third World Cup and they only established a domestic women’s league as recently as 2007.

It is a stage the Oranje believe they should be on though.

The Netherlands may have flopped at Euro 2022, but the footballing authorities reacted by bringing Andries Jonker in and the move has worked perfectly.

Jonker has been toiling seven days a week, visiting players at their domestic clubs and rotating his teams to give weary players a rest during international breaks. And now the team is fit and firing, full of energy and optimism.

The major disappointment for them, of course, is the absence of star player Vivianne Miedema, who is missing with a cruciate ligament injury.

There is plenty of other talent on display and midfielder Jill Roord seems set to be a key player in Miedema’s absence since she is a brilliant passer of the ball – the Manchester City star has 21 goals in 86 appearances.

Keep an eye out also for 19 year-old dazzling winger Esmee Brugts, who will give opposition full-backs a torrid time.

In summary then, whether you are an avid watcher of women’s football or just follow from afar, if there is one group game likely to produce Women’s World Cup highlights, let me recommend this.

History

Their 2019 final showdown was the first ever competitive match between these nations.

USA, the pre-eminent force of the women’s game at international level, had won six of their previous eight friendly meetings before then.

Sarina Wiegman, who guided Oranje Leeuwinnen to Euro success in 2017 and the 2019 final, played in the last Dutch victory over America back in 1996. Since then, it’s been 11 consecutive defeats with a 29-4 aggregate score.

Their last meeting at the Olympic Games quarter-finals finished 2-2 when Medema scored twice for the Dutch but the US won 4-2 on spot-kicks.

Betting Tip

The Americans are favourites for a reason and are priced 1X2 @ 1.67 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.95 with the SBOTOP Women’s World Cup betting odds.

Holland are available to back 1X2 at an attractive @ 3.90 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.13.

A re-run of their draw from two years ago – Correct Score 2-2 – will pay out @ 22.00, with a repeat of the 2019 final on offer @ 6.40 with Correct Score 2-0.

I can see a few goals in this fixture and over 2.50 @ 2.13 has caught my eye.

I am going to go for the US to break down any resistance though and lead both at the break and the conclusion.

 

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