Oranje Leeuwinnen hold France, stay in control of World Cup qualification

The Oranje Leeuwinnen earned an impressive 1–1 draw in their away match against France on Sunday. Wieke Kaptein got Oranje’s goal in Auxerre, capitalizing on her side’s only real chance of the second half to claim a valuable point for coach Arjan Veurink’s squad. The result leaves the Netherlands in charge of its chances to qualify directly for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

After four games, the Dutch side sits at the top of the group on 8 points, just ahead of France on 7, with Ireland on 6 and Poland trailing with 1. Direct qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil is reserved for the group winner, while the remaining teams must go through the play-offs. The Netherlands will face Ireland away and Poland at home in June to conclude the group stage.

Given the lack of experienced players during this international window, the Dutch women are likely to see these results as the maximum they could have achieved. Fielding a notably youthful lineup, they had already stunned France with a 2–1 win in Breda earlier in the week.

Anticipating a more intense French side than earlier in the week, Veurink instead watched his team cope comfortably again in the rain in Auxerre. Although France controlled much of the game at home, it was the Dutch who threatened first, with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin reacting quickly to keep out Esmee Brugts’ low effort.

Featuring Janou Levels at left-back instead of Marisa Olislagers, the Dutch side gradually struggled to push forward and were imprecise with their delivery in the limited breaks they managed. France offered little threat in return, with Clara Matéo’s effort taking a touch off Brugts before narrowly missing the target.

Just before the break, Oranje conceded. Following a corner, Sandy Baltimore picked out Marie-Antoinette Katoto with a cross, and she rose above Damaris Egurrola to head the ball into the net.

Veurink made a change early in the second half, replacing the ineffective Romée Leuchter with Chasity Grant. The Dutch side struggled more in possession after the break and went thirty minutes without posing any threat.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Brugts delivered a precise cross that found Kaptein, who headed the ball over Peyraud-Magnin. The 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder, now wearing the captain’s armband after Lineth Beerensteyn had been taken off, netted her third goal for the national team.

Moments later, Grace Geyoro struck the crossbar for France, yet that proved to be their closest effort as the home team failed to find a breakthrough in an exciting finale.