SYDNEY (AFP) -- The Netherlands secured a spot in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals by ending South Africa’s historic run with a 2-0 win in Sydney on Sunday, ahead of a blockbuster last-16 showdown between holders the United States and Sweden.
The Dutch, runners-up in 2019, will now face Spain in the last eight but they suffered some anxious moments in front of 40,000 fans in Sydney and had goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to thank for making several important saves in the first half.
Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team that sits 45 places below them in the world rankings and was featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time.
South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second.
The African champions will be kicking themselves after having numerous chances in the opening 45 minutes, almost all of them falling to their livewire captain Thembi Kgatlana.
Midfielder Roord nodded in the opener from close range following a corner for her fourth goal of the tournament.
The Netherlands then stood firm before adding their second goal on 68 minutes when Swart’s blunder let Beerensteyn’s tame effort slip through her hands.
The Dutch will now return to New Zealand for Friday’s last-eight game in Wellington against Spain, who outclassed Switzerland 5-1 on Saturday.
The USA go into their meeting with Sweden in Melbourne, which kicks off at 0900 GMT, looking to improve on some lackluster performances in the group stage as they chase an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.
After Germany’s shock group-phase exit, the top-rated Americans and Sweden, third on the FIFA list, are the two highest-ranked teams left standing.
The winners will go through to a quarterfinal against Japan in Auckland on Friday.
Japan have been the sensation of the tournament so far and the 2011 champions eased into the last eight with a 3-1 win over Norway on Saturday in Wellington.
Monday’s action sees European champions England take on Nigeria in Brisbane before co-hosts Australia face Denmark in Sydney.
Nigeria breezed through what was dubbed the “group of death” at the Women’s World Cup, but a victory over England on Monday and a berth in the quarter-finals would be one of most significant accomplishments in his team’s history, coach Randy Waldrum said.
“It would be a huge win,” Waldrum told reporters on Sunday, a day ahead of Nigeria’s last-16 match with the Lionesses.