With France having progressed to the inaugural final of the UEFA Women’s Nations League, the usual qualification berth for the 2024 Olympics would instead be afforded to the winner of the third-place match – as les Bleues had automatically qualified for the summer tournament as hosts.
NED: van Domselaar; Brugts, Janssen, Spitse, Dijkstra, Casparij; Kaptein, van de Donk, Groenen; Martens, Beerensteyn
GER: Frohms; Linder, Hegering, Hendrich, Gwinn; Nüsken, Oberdorf, Lohmann; Bühl, Popp, Brand
Having made their debut appearance at the Olympic Games in 2020, the Netherlands would be looking to seal their participation in the upcoming edition of the tournament by defeating Germany at Heerenveen’s Abe Lenstra Stadion on Wednesday.
There were a plethora of chances for both teams throughout the first half – but it wasn’t until the 66th minute that the first goal arrived, courtesy of Germany’s Klara Bühl. The forward arrived on the scene to latch onto a ball from Lena Oberdorf, smashing a half-volleyed attempt past Aston Villa’s Daphne van Domselaar.
Embed from Getty ImagesLea Schüller had earlier seen a goal chalked off for an offside infringement, but the substitute would play her part in securing victory for Germany with twelve minutes of regulation time remaining. Bühl’s cross was floated into the box, allowing the Bayern Munich forward to rifle a header past a despairing van Domselaar.
Both teams now turn their attention to the upcoming draw for next year’s EURO2025 tournament, with the draw set to take place in Switzerland next Tuesday.
