The buzz: This is a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, a game the U.S. won 2-0 on goals by Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle, neither of whom started in the Americans’ opener here.
The U.S. hasn’t lost a World Cup game since the final match of group play in 2011, though it was hardly impressive in last week’s sloppy 3-0 win over Vietnam. The U.S., which took 28 shots, wasted most of its opportunities but was bailed out by Sophia Smith, who had two goals and an assist in her first World Cup match.
The Dutch, meanwhile, had a tougher time with Portugal despite building a 12-2 edge in shots. The game’s only goal came on defender Stefanie van der Gragt’s header off a corner kick in the 13th minute.
These teams last met in the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals, playing to a 2-2 draw. The U.S. then won a tie-breaking shootout to eliminate the Dutch.
