60′ The stadium erupts as Van Domselaar truly shines for the first time this match. Janssen goes down expecting a free kick, but Franssi strolls towards the Dutch goal. Van Domselaar once again proves her world-class goalkeeping, snatching the ball from the Finn’s feet.
57′ Finland is slightly improved in the second half, but the Scandinavians won’t gain much confidence from this match. Meanwhile, the crowd tries to stay warm by dancing and singing, as a fresh wind blows through Cambuur’s brand-new stadium.
52′ That could have easily been 3-0. Pelova passes to Kaptein in the penalty area, but the Chelsea midfielder lets the ball bounce too far ahead: chance gone.
46′ Second half kickoff! Miedema kicks off for the second half. Oranje seeks a large victory. And perhaps Miedema’s hundredth international goal.
Halftime! The first half is over and couldn’t have gone better for Oranje. Miedema is back and sets the score to 2-0.
45+1′ Backheel passes are flying around. The Oranje players are clearly feeling good. Coach Andries Jonker’s team is performing much better than in the last international period, when they lost to Germany and drew against Scotland.
42′ Ouch, a tough bodycheck for Veerle Buurman. The nineteen-year-old defender grabs her shoulder and walks back to her position with a grimace. It seems okay. It’s important for Oranje to avoid injuries in the last match before the European Championship.
Hoppa! There’s the 99th for Miedema! Do you remember her first international goal? A month after her international debut in 2013, Miedema scored her first goal for Oranje in a bizarre way. In the 7-0 victory against Portugal, she immediately scored a hat-trick in sixteen minutes. If it continues like this, there will be another hat-trick today.
33′ It seems okay for Van de Donk. After a few minutes of recovery, she steps back onto the field.
30′ GOAL Oranje! 2-0
Miedema taps in her second of the evening from close range, but there are concerns about Van de Donk. She was hit on the head just before the goal.
25′ GOAL… or not?! Groenen’s high cross sails into the goal, but the goal is disallowed because Pelova was offside.
22′ While the wind picks up in Friesland, Finland has nothing to say in this match. Oranje seems reborn after a short vacation and is showing creative football.
Poeh, you can really call it a blunder by the Finnish keeper.
This goal is a huge boost for Miedema. She injured her hamstring in the Nations League match against Austria (April 8) and started a race against time to reach the European Championship. The 28-year-old all-time top scorer just scored her 98th international goal. If she continues like this, she can reach the magical 100 tonight.
11′ GOAL Oranje! 1-0
There is the dream start for Oranje! The Finnish keeper gives an unlucky pass when defending, and Brugts intercepts well. Van de Donk then perfectly sets up the ball for Miedema, who taps it in easily.
8′ Miedema is in good form and now crosses the ball from the left. Van de Donk’s toe is just not long enough to tap it in.
The first photos are coming in! The national anthem was sung at the top of their lungs in Leeuwarden.
3′ Wow, there was almost a dream start for Oranje! Vivianne Miedema starts a dribble towards the goal and gets quite far with hanging and strangling. Her attempt on goal just lacks some power, so it’s still 0-0.
1′ Kickoff! Finland lets the ball roll, both teams want to go to the European Championship with a good feeling. Who will succeed?
The players enter the field and the national anthems sound through the Kooi Stadium.