Soccer

Women’s World Cup Final live blog: US gets fourth World Cup title with 2-0 win over the Netherlands

The Americans repeated as champions thanks to two second half goals.

Rose Lavelle World Cup final
Rose Lavelle of the United States celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

By Hayden Bird

5 minutes to read

Though the United States women’s national team wasn’t able to find another early goal, they still prevailed in the end 2-0 over the Netherlands to win a fourth World Cup title.

Two second half goals were the difference for the Americans. Megan Rapinoe scored a 61st minute penalty kick and Rose Lavelle added an insurance goal in the 69th minute.

Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal made several extraordinary saves to keep her team in it during the first half, but the incessant US pressure proved too much in the end.

Having won the World Cup in 2015, the US is the first team to repeat as champions since Germany in 2007. Previous American wins came in 1991 and 1999 to go along with the two recent triumphs.

Advertisement:

Here’s how the game played out, with analysis and highlights:

Second half

Full time, United States 2, Netherlands 0

91 min: With five minutes of stoppage time, the US is just trying to see out the game at this point leading 2-0.

87 min: Carli Lloyd enters the game for the US for Heath. The Americans are now looking to simply retain possession and clinch a fourth World Cup title.

81 min: The US nearly scores a third goal, but Tobin Heath is unable to find room for a shot and the ensuing possession inside the Dutch box is finally ended when van Veenendaal collects.

79 min: Christen Press enters the game for Megan Rapinoe. Press, as her name suggests, will help the US pressure the Dutch buildup while also looking to pounce on a counterattack. She scored the opening goal in the semifinal against England.

Advertisement:

75 min: A run in by left back Crystal Dunn almost results in a third US goal, but Sari van Veenendaal makes another point-blank save. The resulting corner ends in a goal kick for the Dutch.

73 min: The Dutch have made a pair of substitutions, with Jill Roord and Shanice van de Sanden coming on to give more attacking options. The van de Sanden entrance will have a particularly striking effect, as she replaces Anouk Dekker. So it’s a winger on for a center back.

71 min: Another dangerous US move leads to Rapinoe playing in Tobin Heath, but her shot is saved and the rebound comes to nothing. Still, it’s a warning sign for the Dutch as they continue to push more players forward to find a goal.

69 min, GOAL US (2-0): Rose Lavelle finds space before firing a shot into the net from the top of the box to double the Americans’ lead.

66 min: The game appears to have opened up with the goal, as the US is now finding more space in attack as Netherlands pushes more players forward. However, Vivianne Miedema almost finds an opening for the Dutch but is tackled by a group of American defenders.

62 min, GOAL US (1-0): VAR rules that it’s a penalty kick to the US. Megan Rapinoe calmly slots the ball into the net to give the Americans the lead.

Advertisement:

57 min: Alex Morgan goes for a cross in the middle and is kicked by Stefanie van der Gragt. The initial call is a corner kick, but the call goes to VAR.

54 min: Becky Sauerbrunn is down with a cut on her head after a head-to-head collision with Danielle van de Donk. She leaves the field for treatment. She is allowed to return after a few minutes with a bandage on her head.

48 min: After Julie Ertz’s early effort on a corner kick goes wide of the goal, the US press creates a series of openings that they’re unable to take advantage of. Still, it’s a fast start from the Americans as the score is still 0-0.

45 min: Due to a head injury, the US subs in Ali Krieger at right back for Kelley O’Hara.

First half

Halftime, United States 0, Netherlands 0

: The Americans have threatened to score on several occasions, but Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal has produced several fine saves to keep it scoreless. On the other end, the Netherlands’ attack has burst forward on a few counterattacks, but is yet to work consistent possession in the US’ half of the field. The last two times the US has been in a scoreless tie in the first half of a World Cup final (1999 and 2011), it’s gone to penalty kicks.

Advertisement:

47 min: The Dutch put together a late first half chance, but Vivianne Miedema’s cross is cleared by Samantha Mewis and Spitse’s shot goes over the bar.

42 min: A yellow card is shown to Abby Dahlkemper for a tackle. The ensuing Dutch free kick outside the box takes a deflection for a corner, which the US handles.

40 min: Another exceptional block from van Veenendaal, who turns away a fierce strike from Alex Morgan with a full extension save.

38 min: A flurry of chances for the US produce a pair of fine saves from van Veenendaal. Still scoreless, but the Americans appear to be getting closer to an opening goal.

36 min: Though the Dutch have played almost exclusively in a 4-3-3 shape during the tournament, they appear to be in a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 variation today. It has so far proven effective at holding the American attack at bay.

28 min: US center back Becky Sauerbrunn was down after a collision, but is back up and playing.

27 min: A US corner leads to a Julie Ertz volley on net, but van Veenendaal makes the save for the Dutch to keep it scoreless.

23 min: Crystal Dunn crosses for Samantha Mewis, but van Veenendaal claims it. So far, the US press has put the Dutch under pressure, but the defense has yet to crack. The Netherlands has countered a few times, but is yet to test Alyssa Naeher.

17 min: A US corner kick leads to a chance, but Rose Lavelle’s cross is claimed by Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.

Advertisement:

13 min: The Dutch have officially kept the Untied States from scoring for longer than any previous opponent in the 2019 World Cup.

10 min: The US wins a free kick outside the Netherlands’ penalty area thanks to Rose Lavelle. But Tobin Heath’s delivery is cleared. Dutch midfielder Sherida Spitse gets a yellow card.

6 min: The Dutch respond with a spell in the US’ half, but it leads to nothing as the Americans win a free kick. The early battle in the midfield appears to be even, with the Netherlands attempting to pack the center of the pitch.

1 min: The Americans start on the front foot, working the ball into the Netherlands’ half of the field for some early possession. The US has scored in the first 15 minutes of every game in the 2019 World Cup.

Pregame

United States coach Jill Ellis has elected to bring Megan Rapinoe back into the starting lineup after an injury kept her out of the semifinal against England. Rose Lavelle, who exited the semifinal with a hamstring injury, has also been deemed fit enough to start. Massachusetts native Samantha Mewis takes the place of Lindsey Horan in midfield.

For the Netherlands, Lieke Martens starts despite a toe injury, while Lineth Beerensteyn has once again been selected over Shanice van de Sanden. Central defender Anouk Dekker also returns, meaning that Dominique Bloodworth moves to left back and Merel van Dongen goes to the bench.

The US lineup

The Netherlands lineup

Pregame reading

■Guide to the Women’s World Cup Final

■ US experience will count in Women’s World Cup final

Advertisement:

■ US women’s soccer team a hit with viewers

■US women can neutralize speed and skill of Netherlands in the final