DEVENTER, Netherlands: Hosts Netherlands beat neighbours Belgium 2-1 to advance to the women’s Euro quarterfinals alongside Denmark, who edged 2013 runners-up Norway 1-0 in Group A on Monday.
In Tilburg, Sherida Spitse converted a penalty — her second in two games — in the 27th minute to put the Netherlands ahead after Maud Coutereels had brought down Jackie Groenen in the box.
Tessa Wullaert put Belgium level on 59 minutes with a high chip that caught out goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.
But Lieke Martens helped the hosts keep their perfect record of three wins from as many games with a shot that was deflected by defender Heleen Jaques over keeper Justien Odeurs.
In Deventer, Denmark’s Katrine Veje scored on five minutes, blasting her shot past Norwegian keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth after being set up by skipper Pernille Harder.
Norway wasted a spot-kick just before half-time as Danish keeper Stina Lykke Petersen kept out Caroline Graham Hansen’s shot following a foul on striker Ada Hegerberg.
Denmark finished second on six points, ahead of Belgium with three and Norway — who had advanced to the knockout stages every time since 1997 — with zero points. The Dutch were on the front foot for most of the match, with Martens firing over on 11 minutes.
Belgium, playing their first European Championship, could have levelled earlier but Janice Cayman flicked the ball just over after the break.
In the closing minutes, Davina Philtjens curled a free-kick over the Dutch goal, Wullaert had a left-footed strike tipped over by Van Veenendaal and Jaques saw her header cleared off the goalline.
“We are very happy to have won the three matches, which is a result to be proud of. I am enjoying tonight, but we will focus on Saturday tomorrow,” said Martens.— AFP
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