VIVIANNE MIEDEMA AND Stefanie van der Gragt headed the Netherlands to a 2-0 win over Italy and into the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time this afternoon.
Arsenal forward Miedema and defender Van der Gragt nodded in a pair of Sherida Spitse free-kicks in the space of 10 second-half minutes to break the stubborn Azzurre resistance.
The second strike extended Netherlands’ tournament-high haul of headed goals to five and confirmed their passage into the final four, where they will face either Germany or Sweden.
Clear-cut chances had been rare throughout a match played in stifling heat in Valenciennes but Sarina Wiegman’s side established control after half-time and were worthy winners in the end.
The Dutch will face the winners of Germany and Sweden, who play this evening, in the last four.
