The Netherlands reached their first Women’s World Cup final after Manchester United midfielder Jackie Groenen’s sweet extra-time strike settled their cagey semi-final against Sweden.
The European champions will face holders the United States in Lyon on Sunday, after Jill Ellis’ side’s win over England.
The 48,452 fans inside the Stade de Lyon had looked set to endure a nervy penalty shootout, before Groenen’s crisp low shot sunk the Swedes’ hopes of reaching their second final.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal had earlier kept the Dutch on level terms with three important saves, before Gunners striker Vivianne Miedema’s header was touched on to Sweden’s crossbar at the other end.
Substitute Shanice van de Sanden’s fierce shot was then tipped wide by Hedvig Lindahl to send the game to extra time and the Dutch eventually found a way through.
Sweden, who were playing in their fourth semi-final after stunning Germany in the last eight, will now face England in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Nice (16:00 BST).
Wednesday’s disappointing contest failed to match up to the entertainment, the quality or the intense atmosphere that was seen in Tuesday’s gripping tie between England and three-time champions the USA.
But the Netherlands’ achievement – reaching the final while competing in only their second Women’s World Cup – was greeted with emotional celebrations at the full-time whistle after a tense 120 minutes and their colourful fans danced with joy in the stands.
Ranked eighth in the world, they have enjoyed a rapid rise towards the top of the women’s game, two years after winning the Euros on home soil, and they have been backed by a lively, dancing horde of passionate fans all across France.
Sarina Wiegman’s side beat New Zealand 1-0, Cameroon 3-1 and Canada 2-1 to top Group E and reach the knockout stages for the second time.
A dramatic 2-1 win over Japan and a 2-0 quarter-final victory against Italy followed to put them into their first semi-final, and they narrowly overcame the Swedes in Lyon despite never really playing their best football.
PFA player of the year Miedema, who was the top scorer in the English Women’s Super League in 2018-19, was relatively quiet but did almost win the tie in normal time when former Chelsea stopper Lindahl did brilliantly well to save her header.
