(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Vivianne Miedema became her country's all-time record goal-scorer with a brace as the Netherlands saw off a spirited Cameroon 3-1 yesterday to secure a place in the last 16 of the women's World Cup. Miedema's goals came either side of a close-range Dominique Bloodworth strike for the European champions in Valenciennes, with Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene netting for Cameroon. The Netherlands have won two out of two in Group E and their place in the knockout rounds is therefore secure before they take on Canada in Reims next week.
Miedema's double means the 22-year-old forward already has 60 international goals, making her the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands women's side. 'I am 22 years old and I hope I have a nice career in front of me. I have no idea where this will end, but as long as I continue playing at his level I hope to keep adding more goals, said the Arsenal star.
Sarina Wiegman's team were helped by a huge Dutch support which turned the Stade du Hainaut into a sea of orange, with around 15,000 fans expected in the northern French town which lies only a two-hour drive across Belgium from the southern Netherlands.
'The fact that the match was played in Valenciennes which is very close to Holland, I think that put us at a disadvantage, said Cameroon coach Alain Djeumfa, insisting that gave the Dutch a 'psychological edge.
Those Dutch supporters saw their team take the lead in the 41st minute through a fine goal, with exciting winger Shanice van de Sanden playing a one-two with Jackie Groenen before crossing for Miedema to head home.
The lead lasted only two minutes, though, with Aboudi Onguene latching onto a long ball forward and rounding goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal to score. However, the Dutch restored their lead within three minutes of the second half starting, with the Indomitable Lionesses failing to deal with a well-worked free-kick and the ball falling for defender Bloodworth — who plays with Miedema at Arsenal — to convert. Substitute Lineth Beerensteyn then played in Miedema to run through and blast in their third late on. Canada can also clinch qualification for the last 16 with a win over New Zealand later in Grenoble.
On Friday night, Jodie Taylor broke a 14-month goal drought to shoot England past Argentina and into the last 16 after Cristiana Girelli's hat-trick saw the Italians through with a 5-0 hammering of hapless Jamaica.
Euro 2017 top scorer Taylor tapped home her first England goal since April 2018 from Beth Mead's inviting low cross just after the hour mark to send England to the top of Group D on six points, two ahead of Japan, and into the next round alongside Italy, France and Germany with a game still to play.
'I'm the first one to admit that I score goals because of my teammates. The Euros I won the golden boot because of the quality of my teamates, Taylor told reporters. 'The ball from Beth today absolutely showed that.
Phil Neville's side now need a point in Nice on Wednesday against Japan, who beat Scotland 2-1 earlier on Friday, to ensure they finish in first place and avoid a potential clash with European champions the Netherlands in the next round.
They could form part of a powerful group of teams in the knockouts with the three strong-looking European nations plus the USA, who are heavy favourites to go through from their group. 'To be honest I'm so focused on the group I don't even know who we could face yet, added Taylor about the prospect of facing one of those sides. 'We want to top the group, that's all we want to focus on — ask me after Japan.
Despite the defeat the ‘Albicelestes', third in the group with a point, can still qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Scotland in their final game in Paris, although they will have to show more attacking intent than they have in their opening two matches.
The were twice saved by goalkeeper Vanina Correa, who pushed Nikita Parris' 28th-minute penalty off the post and then pulled off a super stop to deny the excellent Mead four minutes before the break.-
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