Netherland female team advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after overcoming South Africa 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.

Goals either side of the half from Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn were enough to overcome a Banyana Banyana side, that always looked dangerous, but could not convert their chances into a goal.

The Group D winners began on the front foot as Kaylin Swart was forced into a good save after Esmee Brugts hit a curler outside the penalty area.

The Banyana Banyana’s goalkeeper could do nothing about what happened after the resulting corner, however, Jill Roord was in the right place to knock the ball in from a close distance, as OranjeLeeuwinnen took the lead.

The goal for Roord meant she became the top all-time scorer for the Netherlands in the FIFA Women’s World Cup with five goals, moving one clear of Lieke Martens-Van Leer (4).

Injury blows to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbani forced Desiree Ellis to shuffle the team earlier than she would have liked.

South Africa’s best opportunities of the half came through the pace of Thembi Kgatlana, who forced Daphne van Domselaar into several saves.

The break meant that the Dutch could regroup and regain a modicum of control over proceedings.

Netherland thought they had doubled their lead after a wonderful turn and finish from Lieke Martens, but a VAR review found that Victoria Pelova was offside in the build-up.

They eventually did get their second, Lineth Beerensteyn scoring her second FIFA Women’s World Cup goal after a calamitous error from Swart.

In the end, the France 2019 finalists were too strong, and advanced to the next round, as they would take on Spain in Wellington on Friday.

 Meanwhile, South Africa’s coach,  Desiree Ellis, told reporters after the match that she was very proud of her team despite the loss, adding that they gave their best and played according to instructions.

“Very proud of these players. They gave their all today. They know that they were in the game.

“That’s what we said – we were going to come here and put up a fight and put in a gam. South Africa can be very proud of this team,” she said.

Similarly, Netherlands coach, Andries Jonker, expressed joy after the match, admitting that the team was lucky not to have been punished after committing so many errors during the game.

Jonker singled out goalkeeper Van Domselaar for making crucial saves that kept the team in the game, saying that she deserved her player-of-the-match award.

“We gave the ball away so often, then they were dangerous, but luckily we have a top keeper.

“Today she (Van Domselaar) really showed that she is a top talent. We knew that, but it is always nice when it is confirmed,” he said.