Dominique Janssen gives the Dutch point in spectacle against Brazil

Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:54 PM• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 16:11

The Dutch women’s team is unofficially certain of a place in the quarterfinals of the football tournament at the Olympic Games. With a 3-3 draw against Brazil, only an unexpected monster defeat against China in the last game can throw a spanner in the works. Vivianne Miedema scored twice for the the Dutch, but the last goal, the 3-3, came in the name of Dominique Janssen after a nice free kick. Based on goal difference, the the Dutch squad takes the lead in Group F. The group head plays in the quarterfinals against the number two from Group G, which could become the feared United States.

After the 4-4 draw between China and Zambia earlier on Saturday, both the the Dutch and Brazil had enough to reach the quarterfinals unofficially. However, Sarina Wiegman’s team went for the win and took the lead early. In the third minute, Miedema was served on the edge of the sixteen-meter area by the steamed right back Lynn Wilms, who made her entrance into the starting eleven at the expense of Merel van Dongen. Miedema cleverly turned away from defender Erika and hit hard in the bottom right corner: 1-0.

Four minutes after the goal, the arbitration awarded a penalty to Brazil because of a handball by Lieke Martens. The VAR took the time to study the moment, after which referee Kate Jacewicz also looked at the camera images. The arbitration concluded that two Brazilians were offside, so the penalty was not awarded. After sixteen minutes of play, Brazil still tied the score. The Dutch defense was surprised, as a result of which Duda was able to pass from the right flank to Debinha, who finished in two instances.

The the Dutch squad did not give away many great opportunities in the remainder of the first half and was close to 2-1 when Martens shot past from a promising position. Brazil, with six-time world football player of the year Marta in the team, had the majority of the ball in the first half with sixty percent. After just under an hour, the the Dutch squad took the lead again, when Miedema headed in after a sharp cross by Daniëlle van de Donk from the left wing; keeper Barbara van Brazil made a mistake when trying to keep the ball out of the goal.

A few minutes later, however, Brazil came alongside again. Stefanie van der Gragt fouled Ludmila outside the penalty area, but the arm with which she committed the foul appeared to be partly within the penalty area. The incident resulted in a penalty kick, which was used by Marta. The 35-year-old football legend made her third goal of the Games, after two goals against China (0-5). Brazil even took the lead via Ludmila: she reacted attentively to a weak back pass from Aniek Nouwen, passed keeper Sari van Veenendaal and finished off in an empty goal. A beautiful free kick by Dominique Janssen in the top left corner gave the the Dutch a point after all.