Horan denies Netherlands famous World Cup win

Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women's World Cup.

New Manchester City signing Jill Roord put the Dutch on course for a famous win after a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

The Stars and Stripes have been a superpower on the world stage, winning their previous 13 matches spanning three tournaments, but they struggled to breakdown a resolute Netherlands defence until Horan equalised with a header from a corner.

In a repeat of the 2019 final - which the USA won 2-0 in Lyon - Savannah DeMelo fired wide when the game was goalless while Trinity Rodman forced Daphne van Domselaar into a finger-tip save moments after the Dutch had taken the lead.

It looked like being a bitterly frustrating day for the USA when Julie Ertz had a header deflected behind before Horan equalised.

The United States stay top of Group E with four points from two games - the same number as the Netherlands who trail on goal difference.

The USA face Portugal next at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday (08:00 BST) while the Netherlands play Vietnam in Dunedin at the same time.

Portugal and Vietnam, who are both yet to record a point, play their second group game later in Hamilton (08:30 BST).

Netherlands show they mean business

Both sets of fans applauded their teams off the pitch at full-time after an entertaining affair in front of 27,312 fans.

Wellington was awash with colour hours before the lunchtime kick-off local time as fans took to the streets of New Zealand's capital city early.

There was a carnival atmosphere inside the fan park with some supporters were dressed top to toe in stars and stripes. Others from the Netherlands arrived at the ground in national costume.

One supporter inside the ground held up a sign saying: "They're not just women, they're legends".

Helicopters buzzed above the city from early morning adding to the sense of occasion, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was on official business in the city, broke off from talks to cheer on the defending champions.

Billed as the biggest fixture of the 48 group games taking place in Australia and New Zealand, it did not disappoint.

The United States, who also defeated the Netherlands at the Olympics in 2021, are strongly tipped to win a fifth World Cup despite 14 players appearing at their first World Cup.

But Andries Jonker's side produced a thoroughly impressive performance and looked set to send out a powerful message until Horan's equaliser.

The Netherlands had required a 93rd-minute winner in their final qualifying game against Iceland just to make this World Cup.

Yet despite being denied the services of influential forward Vivianne Miedema due to injury, the 2019 runners-up once again look as though they could go deep in this tournament.

More to follow.

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USA

Squad number1Player nameNaeher

Squad number23Player nameFox

Squad number8Player nameErtz

Squad number4Player nameGirma

Squad number19Player nameDunn

Squad number9Player nameDeMelo

Squad number17Player nameSullivan

Squad number10Player nameHoran

Squad number20Player nameRodman

Squad number13Player nameMorgan

Squad number11Player nameSmith

Squad number16Player nameLavelle

Netherlands

Squad number1Player namevan Domselaar

Squad number8Player nameSpitse

Squad number3Player namevan der Gragt

Squad number20Player nameJanssen

Squad number14Player nameGroenen

Squad number17Player namePelova

Squad number6Player nameRoord

Squad number10Player namevan de Donk

Squad number22Player nameBrugts

Squad number9Player nameSnoeijs

Squad number11Player nameMartens

Squad number4Player nameNouwen

Squad number13Player nameJansen

Squad number18Player nameCasparij

Squad number21Player nameEgurrola

Line-ups

USA

Formation 4-3-3

1Naeher

23Fox8Ertz4Girma19Dunn

9DeMelo17Sullivan10Horan

20Rodman13Morgan11Smith

Substitutes

Netherlands

Formation 3-1-4-2

1van Domselaar

8Spitse3van der Gragt20Janssen

14Groenen

17Pelova6Roord10van de Donk22Brugts

9Snoeijs11Martens

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, USA 1, Netherlands 1.

Second Half ends, USA 1, Netherlands 1.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Daniëlle van de Donk (Netherlands).

Delay in match because of an injury Rose Lavelle (USA).

Daniëlle van de Donk (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Rose Lavelle (USA).

Substitution, Netherlands. Renate Jansen replaces Jill Roord.

Attempt missed. Andi Sullivan (USA) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Emily Fox.

Daniëlle van de Donk (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Lindsey Horan (USA).

Substitution, Netherlands. Kerstin Casparij replaces Victoria Pelova.

Attempt missed. Trinity Rodman (USA) left footed shot from long range on the right is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Emily Fox.

Attempt blocked. Alex Morgan (USA) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Trinity Rodman with a cross.

Corner, USA. Conceded by Sherida Spitse.

Attempt blocked. Trinity Rodman (USA) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rose Lavelle with a cross.

Corner, USA. Conceded by Lieke Martens.

Attempt blocked. Sophia Smith (USA) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Corner, USA. Conceded by Aniek Nouwen.

Attempt missed. Trinity Rodman (USA) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Sophia Smith.

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