Netherlands will play the United States for the Women’s World Cup title after Jackie Groenen sealed a 1-0 semi-final victory over Sweden in extra time on Wednesday night (Thursday AEST).
A slick passing sequence in the 99th minute ended with Groenen driving a shot from outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
The goal that broke the deadlock in a sweltering Stade de Lyon set up a meeting between the European champions and the reigning world champions on Sunday (Monday AEST) at the same.
And it means that for the first time since 2003, the final will include teams coached by women.
With Jill Ellis coaching the US and Sarina Wiegman in charge of the Netherlands, the run of three finals featuring a male coach comes to an end.
Progress for the Dutch women has been rapid.
They only debuted at the World Cup in 2015 – reaching the round of 16 – and followed it up by winning the European Championship on home soil in 2017.
The Swedes will face a playoff for third against England on Saturday (Sunday AEST) in Nice.
(AP)
