France 2019: Netherlands vs Sweden. All You Need To Know.

Match Facts
2019 FIFA Women World Cup
2nd Semi-final Play-off
Venue: Stade de Lyon, Lyon.
Date: 03 Jul 2019
Local Time: 21:00
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin ( Canada )
Full Time: 🇳🇱Netherlands 1-0 Sweden🇸🇪 (AET)
Attendance: 48,452
Player of the Match: Jackie Groenen (Netherlands)

It was an all European affair as Netherlands takes on Sweden on the second semifinal playoff in Lyon.
Sweden came into this game after shocking 2x champions and World numbers 2, Germany in the quarterfinals playing under unrelating heat with a 2-1 win as they became the first team in the history of the WWC to come from behind to win a game in the knockout phase.
While on the other hand, Netherlands continue their 100% run to the semi-finals after beating the Asian side Japan at the round of 16 and another European side, Italy at the quarterfinals.

For me, the 2017 European champion Netherlands, were favourite as they are more of an attacking team than defensive.
On the other side the 2016 Olympic silver medalist Sweden, hold onto their compost defense and then wait on set pieces.

Tactics:
The Netherlands like to dominate possession and Build through vertical passes from their centre back towards the midfield with their 4-3-3 formation. They are more effective playing quick, counter-attacking football. The pose a significant threat from set-pieces with tall players who attack ball more aggressively.

Sweden hold onto their compose 4-4-1-1 formation and their hard-working organised defense makes them hard to break down.

The Match
Sweden came so close at the 37th minute, but Rubensson's shot was being blocked but it fell in the path of Lina Hurtig but Veenendaal pull a smart save with her leg. That was the most electrifying moment of the first half.

The second half pull out some disappointing moments as both teams hit the woodwork. Sweden's N. Fischer pulled the trigger first at the 57' but her was being tipped onto the post before Netherlands V. Miedema superb header was being denied by Lindahl as she touched the ball onto the bar.
Substitute Shanice van de Sanden might have won it in stoppage time, had her powerful strike not been tipped over by Sweden's safe-hands Lindahl.

Extra time approached with increasing inevitability, but it was Jackie Noëlle Groenen (a former judoka) a former Chelsea, FFC Frankfurt Women player who recently Moved to Manchester United Women broke the stalemate in the first period of extra time with a find strike at the 99th minute as the Swedish were left heartbroken.
The Orange fans took over the stadium as the yellow fan went silent in agony.
It was all the goal that could be produced at the end of the encounter as the "Oranje" groove to their first ever finals as the defending champions USA await them after defeating England 2:1 on the first semi-final playoff.

2003 runners up Sweden will now battle England for the 3rd place on Saturday, 6th of July 2019 in Nice.
While the finals will come up on Sunday 7th at the Stade de Lyon, Lyon.