In a riveting rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) and the Netherlands, two of the world’s top-ranked teams, fought to a 1-1 draw in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The match, held at Wellington Regional Stadium, was a testament to the competitive spirit and high-level skill that both teams brought to the pitch.
The Dutch team, eager to avenge their 2-0 loss to the US in the 2019 World Cup, started the match on a high note. Midfielder Jill Roord broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, sending the ball past USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and into the back of the net. This marked the first time the USWNT trailed in a Women’s World Cup match since their quarterfinal against Brazil in 2011.
Despite trailing at halftime, the USWNT showed resilience and determination. They outshot the Netherlands 9-2 in the first half, and their persistent efforts paid off in the 62nd minute. US captain Lindsey Horan rose to the occasion, scoring the equalizer with a powerful header from a corner kick. The goal sent waves of joy through the American fans in the stands.
The drama didn’t end there. Just a few minutes later, the USWNT thought they had taken the lead when forward Alex Morgan found the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call. Despite five minutes of added stoppage time, neither team was able to secure a winning goal, and the match ended in a draw.
With this result, the USWNT extended their unbeaten streak to 19 matches at the World Cup, setting a new record for the longest unbeaten streak in the tournament’s history, across both men’s and women’s editions.
Speaking after the match, Horan praised her team’s ability to bounce back and score the equalizer. “I felt the momentum the whole time,” she said. “I think the first half we could be a little disappointed in how we played, but I think we fixed things right away. The pressure that we got on, the amount of chances and opportunities that came from it – so proud of the team and their response.”
The USWNT will next face Portugal on August 1, while the Netherlands will take on Vietnam on the same day. As the group stage matches conclude on August 3, both teams will be looking to secure their spots in the knockout stage of the tournament. The thrilling draw between the USA and the Netherlands has set the stage for an exciting continuation of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
