Netherlands 3-2 Portugal: Danielle van de Donk settles five-goal thriller with stunning strike

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Media caption,

Highlights: Netherlands beat Portugal in thriller

Danielle van de Donk scored the winner as defending champions the Netherlands survived a huge scare to defeat Portugal and go top of Group C after an action-packed Euro 2022 encounter.

Having been held by Sweden in their opening game, the Dutch swept into a 2-0 lead without star player Vivianne Miedema, who was ruled out with Covid-19.

In a thriller at Leigh Sports Village, Portugal stunned their opponents by mounting an impressive comeback for a second successive match before Van de Donk settled it with a superb dipping, swerving effort.

Former Everton midfielder Damaris Egurrola had opened the scoring with a looping header, before Stefanie van der Gragt nodded in a second for the Netherlands.

Carole Costa reduced the deficit with a 38th-minute penalty that was awarded after a pitchside monitor check by the referee, before Diana Silva's header sparked scenes of jubilation among Portuguese supporters.

At 2-2, Jill Roord thought she had restored the Netherlands' advantage, but her effort was ruled out for an offside.

There was no denying former Arsenal midfielder Van de Donk's strike, though, as she sent her side top with one round of group matches to go.

"We are a good team and are trying to be a great team," said Netherlands boss Mark Parsons, who has not ruled out striker Miedema playing in the third and final group game on Sunday against Switzerland at Bramall Lane.

"Typical Viv. I had a text from her saying, 'I'm good, get me back and give me the test'."

Portugal had rallied from 2-0 down to earn a point against Switzerland in their previous game and threatened another impressive fightback through Costa's penalty.

It was awarded after the Croatian referee Ivana Martincic checked the monitor following Dominque Janssen's foul on Diana Silva.

At 0-0, Portugal's Ana Borges - winning a record 146th cap for her country - also had a goal ruled out for offside.

The Netherlands were not helped by injuries to their first-choice goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal and defender Aniek Nouwen, while Miedema and Jackie Groenen were absent with Covid.

But they got the job done to put themselves in a strong position to progress to the quarter-finals.

Media caption,

Van de Donk hits stunning winner for Netherlands

Dripping in drama

Leigh Sports Village was painted orange as Dutch fans outnumbered their Portuguese rivals.

This was the second of four Euro 2022 games at the home of Manchester United's WSL team and hundreds of supporters soaked up the sunshine in the town's civic square before the game.

The carnival atmosphere carried over into the stadium where the crowd were treated to a game dripping in drama from start to finish.

The venue is fast emerging as the place for goals and excitement at this tournament. Two games here have produced nine goals and fantastic entertainment.

The Netherlands will hope to have one or two of their absent players back against Switzerland at the weekend, while Portugal - in third place with one point - return to Leigh Sports Village to face Sweden, also on Sunday.

Both games kick-off at 17:00 BST.

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