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Bruce Mackay/Stuff
US captain Lindsey Horan celebrates after scoring a second-half equaliser.
At Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington: Netherlands 1 (Jill Roord 17’) United States 1 (Lindsey Horan 62’) HT: 1-0
The United States’ FIFA Women’s World Cup final rematch against the Netherlands has ended all square after the two-time defending champions fought back from a goal down to secure an entertaining 1-1 draw in their second group E game.
The US trailed for the first time in a World Cup match since 2011 after midfielder Jill Roord fired the Netherlands in front with a sublime finish from the edge of the penalty area in the 17th minute.
But captain Lindsey Horan ensured the world No 1 would not suffer their first defeat at a World Cup since their unbeaten 2015 and 2019 campaigns by heading in a 62nd minute equaliser off a Rose Lavelle corner.
Lavelle was one of the heroes during the 2019 final, scoring a spectacular individual goal to seal a 2-0 win in France four years ago.
She inspired the comeback on Thursday to keep the US top of group E on goal differential ahead of their final game against Portugal.
The US fell behind early when former world player of the year Lieke Martens tore through midfield and played a pass out to the right to Victoria Pelova.
Crystal Dunn had an opportunity to block the pass but slipped at the key moment.
Dunn quickly hauled herself up though and managed to get her body in front of the ball, and the Netherlands’ first real foray into the United States penalty area seemed like it would amount to nothing.
However, Pelova’s shot cannoned off the legs of Dunn and she slipped a pass inside to Roord, who was waiting on the edge of the penalty area.
Rood took one touch before picking out the bottom left corner of the goal with a wonderful strike from distance.
Robin Alam/Getty Images
Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord celebrates after scoring a first-half goal against the United States.
The US made a change at halftime in an attempt to get themselves back into the game.
Lavelle, who started on the bench against Vietnam too after a three-month injury layoff, proved a game-changer.
It was her corner that Horan leapt high to meet with 28 minutes remaining away, giving the US captain the last laugh after arguing with the referee over a rough tackle she copped just moments earlier.
The US dominated the second half but both teams had their chances to snatch a winner.
Roord teed up 18-year-old Esmee Brugts with a squared ball across the face of goal, but the US held strong when veteran defender Julie Ertz got her body in the way and put the ball out for a corner.
Moments later Trinity Rodman flashed a shot wide of the right post after sprinting in behind the Netherlands defence.
Alex Morgan even had the ball in the back of the net after Rodman stole possession inside the Netherlands’ half but the US’ star striker was correctly flagged for offside after getting the jump on the Dutch defence.
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