After a 0-0 draw with Australia confirmed the USWNT’s runner-up finish in Group G of the Summer Olympics, our collective focus shifted to Group F with the U.S. scheduled to play the winner on Friday in Yokohama.
The Netherlands and Brazil were level on points but the Dutch boasted the superior goal difference (+7 to +5) heading into Tuesday's finale. The Oranje only increased it with a 8-2 beatdown of China while Brazil labored to a 1-0 win over 10-woman Zambia, meaning that it’s a rematch of the 2019 FIFA World Cup Final at Nissan Stadium.
Friday's #Olympics Quarterfinal schedule:
Canada vs. Brazil - 4am ET
Great Britain vs. Australia - 5am ET
Sweden vs. Japan - 6am ET
Netherlands vs. USA - 7am ET— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 27, 2021
The Dutch have been dreaming of this moment probably ever since Stefanie van der Gragt kicked Alex Morgan in the sternum, and a group stage haul of 21 goals scored is simply staggering. However, the Dutch also conceded three to Zambia, three to Brazil and two to China, so they like to get rowdy.
@USWNT held the record for goals in one Women's #OlympicFootball Tournament: 16 in 2012 ⚽️
The Netherlands have smashed it by scoring 21 – and, astonishingly, in just 3 matches #Olympics #Football #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/pKO8kGrfYs— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 27, 2021
Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema now has eight goals, Lieke Martens has four, Lineth Beerensteyn has three and both Victoria Pelova and Shanice van de Sanden have two. Pick your poison. No U.S. player has scored more than one yet.
The winner meets either Canada or Brazil in the semifinals.
A full look at the #Tokyo2020 Knockout Stage pic.twitter.com/N0HISTcPag
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 27, 2021
Highlights of Netherlands 8 - 2 China
Coming soon...
Highlights of Netherlands 3 - 3 Brazil
Highlights of Netherlands 10 - 3 Zambia