Netherlands vs Sweden: Dutch into Women's World Cup final after Jackie Groenen winner

Re-live all the coverage from the second semi-final of the Women's World Cup

Women’s World Cup in numbers

The Netherlands will play the United States for the Women's World Cup title after Jackie Groenen sealed a 1-0 victory over Sweden in extra-time on Wednesday night.

A slick passing sequence ended in the 99th minute with Groenen driving a shot from outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

The goal that broke the deadlock in a sweltering stadium set up a meeting between the European champions and the reigning world champions. Re-live the action below:

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

[3 July 2019 19:34 · Michael Jones]

'It's going to be an incredibly cool semi-final'

Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson, who studied in Rotterdam, called the Netherlands one of his favourite footballing nations.

"I could talk at length about Holland," he said. "In 1974, when I was 15 and I watched Holland v West Germany [in the men's World Cup final], that was one of the greatest footballing experiences of my life.

"And from that World Cup final I have always been incredibly fascinated by Dutch football - Johan Cruyff and everyone.

"I was there throughout the European Cup (Euro 2017) and seeing that final between the Netherlands and Denmark, that was amazing because that football that was played in that final was very close to our ideal.

"It is going to be an incredibly cool semi-final and it's going to be fun to see if we can beat one of my favourite countries when it comes to football."

​

[3 July 2019 19:40 · Michael Jones]

Head-to-head and match facts

The Netherlands are unbeaten in the past three meetings between the sides, winning two of those.

They knocked Sweden out of Euro 2017, with a 2-0 win in the quarter-finals. Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema scored the goals and both start tonight.

This is Sweden's fourth World Cup semi-final - only USA (eight) and Germany (five) have reached more.

Sweden have had eight different goalscorers at the World Cup so far - only USA (10) have had more.

Eight of the Netherlands' 10 goals at the World Cup have come in the second half.

[3 July 2019 19:49 · Michael Jones]

Danger women

Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema hold the biggest threat for the Netherlands. They both scored last time the teams met and Miedema was on the score sheet for the Netherlands' vital 1-0 win over Italy. 

For Sweden, Sofia Jakobsson and Stina Blackstenius are a formidable attacking duo. Both scored to send Germany home and after a long goal draught Blackstenius now has two goals in two games.

Can she continue that run tonight?

[3 July 2019 19:52 · Michael Jones]

Ten minutes until kick off

The stats would give the edge to the European Champions but only Germany and the USA have reached more World Cup finals than Sweden.

I think it'll be a fairly even contest with the Netherlands seeing more of the ball and Sweden looking to counter attack.

It could go either way but I think the Netherlands will take it.

Who doesn't want a World Champions vs European Champions final? Sweden I suppose

[3 July 2019 19:56 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

The teams come out onto the pitch, the anthems are sung, the crowd applauds. 

The Netherlands vs Sweden is next.

[3 July 2019 20:01 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

Kick off: Elin Rubensson starts for Sweden. Nathalie Bjorn was due to start but is too ill apparently.

The Swedes, in blue and yellow, get the game started winning a throw in on the left wing. The Netherlands, in their typical orange, defend the throw and win a goal kick. 

[3 July 2019 20:04 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

3 mins: Spitse gives the ball away as she tries to play in Martens but the Netherlands win it back and win a free kick. They play it quickly and find Miedema on the edge of the box, she shoots with her right foot but sends it wide.

[3 July 2019 20:06 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

6 mins: Rubensson pulls off a good turn in mid-field and Sweden are allowed to run into space. Jakobsson gets the ball in the right side of the box but van Dongen defends well, getting in close and forcing Jakobsson to play the ball backwards. 

[3 July 2019 20:09 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

9 mins: van der Gragt slides in on Blackstenius as the Swedish striker tries to get past her. Sweden win a throw in on the right wing, it comes to Asllani who gets the cross in. No-one meets it in the middle but it does come to Hurtig. Hurtig tries to run the ball back into the box close to the byline but she runs the ball out of play. 

[3 July 2019 20:11 · Michael Jones]

Netherlands 0 - 0 Sweden

12 mins: Silky football from the Netherlands gets Miedema into the box with space to shoot. She puts the ball onto her right foot but before she gets her shot off, Seger comes in from behind and wins back to ball with a well timed challenge.