The Netherlands were whipped to win over Wales to later be able to challenge France and England to go ahead from the group play. But defeat-tipped Wales, which makes its first championship, defended itself well in the first half.
The Netherlands had big problems to get a hole in Wales' low and effective defensive game. Jill Roord had a post shot in the 34th minute, but otherwise the Netherlands did not create anything. When the Netherlands also lost the tempo, it looked like Wales would be able to surprise.
But in the third added minute of the first half, it slammed. Vivianne Miedema shot a quick shot that meant 1-0 to the Netherlands. It was the icebreaker for the Netherlands because Victoria Pelova followed up by making 2-0 in the 48th minute. Esmee Brugts established 3-0 in the 57th minute.
This eventually became an easy match for the Netherlands. Now the question is how the team, which consists of several players who won European Championship gold in 2017 and World Championship silver in 2018, will manage when the opposition becomes tougher.
