The Netherlands will open their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on Sunday, 23 July as they face Portugal in Dunedin – and Andries Jonker’s side will be keen to improve on their second-place finish at the 2019 tournament.
Jonker will guide his nation through their third appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the Oranjeleeuwinnen having first qualified under Roger Reiners in 2015. This is an incredibly difficult group for the Netherlands, as not only will they face Portugal and Vietnam, they’ll also face the United States – who they were defeated by in the final four years ago.
Portugal are one of eight countries making their debut at the tournament this summer, though it’s important not to underestimate the Seleçao das Quinas. Francisco Neto’s side held England to a goalless draw at Stadium MK at the start of the month, and will be capable of frustrating the Oranjeleeuwinnen too. These two sides do have history in recent years, having also been drawn in the same group at EURO 2022. In a match that saw five goals, it was the Netherlands that emerged victorious.
Team news
The Netherlands head into this tournament without Vivianne Miedema, as the Arsenal star continues to recover from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury – so the attacking onus will fall on the likes of Lieke Martens and Jill Roord, the latter of whom has recently signed for Manchester City.
Portugal may be forced to utilise a weakened squad as they make their Women’s World Cup debut, with Ana Borges and Kika Nazareth both nursing knocks.
Predicted lineups
The Netherlands: Van Domselaar; Casparij, Van der Gragt, Janssen, Brugts; Roord, Van de Donk, Egurolla; Pelova, Martens, Beerensteyn
Portugal: Morais; Amado, Gomes, Costa, Alves; Pinto, Dolores Silva, Norton; Capeta; J Silva, Diana Silva
Where can I watch?
Kick-off at Dunedin Stadium is scheduled for 8:30am UK time on Sunday, 23rd July 2023. The coverage will begin at 8:15am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. If you’re unable to watch the match, fear not- we’ll have a detailed match report published within minutes of the final whistle.
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