DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — Netherlands scored 4 instances in a torrid 15-minute first-half stretch, overwhelming Vietnam 7-0 within the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday and sealing first place in Group E.

The Dutch went into the match in second place on aim differential behind the United States. But the blowout win mixed with the Americans’ 0-0 draw with Portugal made Netherlands the group winner. The U.S. superior in second place.

Netherlands dominated virtually from the beginning. Lieke Martens chipped a shot into the online within the eighth minute over 5-foot-4 (1.63-meter) Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to get the scoring began. Then the rout was on, as objectives from three different Dutch gamers shortly adopted.

Esmee Brugts scored one within the flurry on a curling ball from exterior the penalty space within the 18th minute, then acquired one other from practically the identical spot within the second half. Jill Roord additionally scored twice.

Vietnam modified goalkeepers at halftime, substituting Khong Thi Hang in for Tran Thi Kim Thanh. It was too late.

Attendance for the match was 8,215, an enormous drop from the sold-out crowd of 25,947 on the earlier match, when co-host New Zealand performed Switzerland to a 0-0 draw and was eradicated from the match.

KEY MOMENTS

Martens and Katja Snoeijs scored inside 4 minutes of one another, setting the tone for the match. Coming into the sport in want of objectives to catch the U.S. on aim differential, the Dutch gamers wasted little time celebrating and put the ball proper again into play.

WHY IT MATTERS

Netherlands will advance to the spherical of 16 for its third time in match historical past, which incorporates the 2019 closing. It will go away the group stage ranked first in Group E, adopted by the defending champion United States.

Tuesday’s match was Vietnam’s final on this 12 months’s Women’s World Cup, its match debut. The Vietnamese completed 0-3 with no objectives and 12 conceded.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“We have been playing with the spirit of Vietnam. We have tried our best. But it is clear that we cannot close the gap between us and the Netherlands.” — Mai Duc Chung, Vietnam coach.

“From the very beginning of the preparation time, we were quite convinced we could beat every opponent in this tournament. But of course it helps if you get first in your group. And of course it helps when you win 7-0.” — Andries Jonker, Netherlands coach.

WHAT’S NEXT

Netherlands’ first opponent within the knockout spherical might be decided by the final video games in Group G on Wednesday. Sweden presently leads that group, adopted by second-place Italy. The Netherlands will face the second-place crew.

Vietnam’s first Women’s World Cup run has come to an finish. The Vietnamese are subsequent scheduled to play on Oct. 26 in opposition to Uzbekistan in an Olympic qualifier.

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Ellen McIntyre is a pupil within the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.

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