Netherlands into 1st World Cup final after extra-time win over Sweden
The Netherlands booked its place in the Women's World Cup final for the first time ever Wednesday, beating Sweden 1-0 in extra time to set up a meeting with the United States in Lyon on Sunday.
After a dour 90 minutes, Jackie Groenen scored the lone goal of the contest in the 99th minute of play, unleashing a low strike into the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of standout Swedish 'keeper Hedvig Lindahl.
It was Groenen's first shot on target in the tournament.
The Dutch, reigning European champions, will now meet an American side looking to capture its second successive World Cup title and fourth overall.
Sweden, meanwhile, is forced to settle for the third-place match against England on Saturday. The Swedes could be without Kosovare Asllani for that contest; their star attacking midfielder was stretchered off the pitch in the final seconds of extra time with an undisclosed injury.
The Netherlands, now the eighth nation to feature in a Women's World Cup final, has injury concerns of its own. Lieke Martens, the winner of FIFA's Player of the Year award two years ago, left Wednesday's encounter at halftime.
She's been hobbled by a toe injury during the tournament and will likely face a race against the clock to be fit for the showdown with the United States.
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