The Netherlands will play in their first ever Women’s World Cup final after Jackie Groenen’s extra-time goal settled their semi-final against Sweden.
A crowd of over 48,000 in Lyon had had little goalmouth action to excite but each keeper had made impressive saves in normal time.
Sari van Veenendaal touched a Nilla Fischer effort onto her far post, while Hedvig Lindahl tipped a header from Vivianne Miedema onto the crossbar and later pushed a Shanice van de Sanden strike the top.
New Manchester United signing Groenen broke the deadlock after 99 minutes, shooting just inside the far post from 20 yards out,
Kosovare Asllani was taken to hospital after an awkward landing and could miss Saturday’s third-place play off against England.
The Dutch now face holders and number one ranked team the USA in Sunday’s final.
