Netherlands vs. Portugal highlights: Dutch defense comes up big in win

The Netherlands and Portugal squared off in a Sunday matchup (on FS1 and the FOX Sports app) at Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand, as Group E action at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup rolled on!

The last time the Netherlands played in the World Cup, it met the United States in the final, losing 2-0. The squad is looking to do one better this time around and is in stellar shape heading into the tournament, having won seven of its past 10 outings in international competition.

The Oranje Leeuwinnen got things started on the right foot Sunday with a comfortable 1-0 win over the Seleção das Quinas, who are a first-time World Cup participant.

Follow our live coverage below!

Netherlands 1, Portugal 0

89′: Tough goalkeeping

Daphne van Domselaar was a force for the Dutch in 90 minutes of shutout ball, and it was heady plays like this that helped keep Portugal off the scoreboard:

82′: Making things shake

Portugal was not faced by its opponent’s résumé. The team continued to play with heart and hustle, and got some good opportunities offensively, including this respectable shot on goal late in the match.

58′: Don’t try it

The Netherlands responded with a stellar defensive stop of its own, this time on a sliding tackle from Dominique Janssen.

52′: What a stop!

Stopping a soccer ball that’s flying at you like a missile is not an easy task. But, hey, that’s why we leave tasks like that to the professionals, like Inês Pereira.

37′: Letting it fly

The Netherlands kept the pressure on as it looked for a follow to its first goal. And the Dutch showed they weren’t going to be shy from anywhere on the pitch.

13′: Off the head!

Aggressiveness was the name of the game for the Dutch early. They earned themselves a corner early in the match, and capitalized in with some crafty teamwork. Stefanie van der Gragt was the woman of the moment on the header, which was deemed good after a VAR check.

PREGAME

Setting the stage

The “World Cup NOW” crew previewed the match live on Twitter ahead of kickoff.

All the feels

Portugal had never heard its national anthem played before a World Cup match. And when it did, the emotion of the moment brought some players to tears.

Bleeding orange

The Oranje Leeuwinnen faithful were out in full force in support of their beloved Netherlands squad.

Out for more

The Netherlands finished as the runner-up in the 2019’s Cup. To top that result only means one thing for Lieke Martens & Co.

Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule and how to watch each match live here. Find the latest scores here.

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