France face Netherlands at New York Stadium, Rotherham in the final Quarter-Final tie of 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
France qualified for this stage as Group D winners, whilst the Netherlands advanced as Group C runners-up on goal difference behind Sweden.
The winner of this tie will meet Germany in the second semi-final at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes on Wednesday 27 July.
Team News
Eve Perisset and Grace Geyoro are amongst six players who could return to the starting line-up for France, having been benched for their controversial 1-1 draw against Iceland.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto (knee) is ruled out for remainder of the tournament, having suffered the injury during their Group D win against Belgium.
Sakina Karchaoui could be rested for France because she will miss the semi-final through suspension if she picks up a booking in this match.
Netherlands could welcome Vivianne Miedema back into the starting line-up after she missed their wins over Portugal and Switzerland, due to self-isolation following a positive Coronavirus test.
Lieke Martens is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a foot injury.
Jill Roord, Lineth Beerensteyn, Dominique Janssen and Damaris Egurrola are at risk of missing the semi-final if the Dutch advance, due to all four players being one booking away from suspension.
Stat Attack
- France are unbeaten against the Netherlands in five previous meetings (W3, D2) in all competitions, excluding penalty shootouts – but lost on penalties to the Dutch at this stage in 2009 tournament.
- Netherlands are chasing their first win over France in all competitions excluding penalty shootouts, although they have scored five goals in last three meetings (D1, L2).
- France have been eliminated at the Quarter-Final stage in each of their last five major tournaments (2013 & 17 Euro, 2015 & 19 World Cup plus 2016 Olympics).
- Out of all four group winners in the Group Stage, only England (32) have had more shots off target than France (24).
- Six of Netherlands’ eight goals so far at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro have been scored after half-time – with exception of first-half goals from Damaris Egurrola and Stefanie van der Gragt in a 3-2 win over Portugal
Prediction
Despite having demonstrated their attacking prowess in Group D with excellent attacking intensity and movement, France are yet to score in the second half which must change if they’re to realistically take the win given Netherlands’ second-half goal-scoring form.
Speaking of the Dutch, they hardly lit the stage alight in Group C with defensive issues which is something that France will look to attack, whilst the reigning champions have also lacked end product in attack but Miedema’s return will boost morale despite Martens’ tournament-ending injury.
The first goal therefore will be absolutely crucial because if France press hard and get ahead, I can’t see the Dutch coming back whereas extra-time surely has to be on the cards at minimum if the defending champions score first.
Prediction: France 1-1 Netherlands (France to win on penalties)