The Netherlands failed in the quarter-finals of qualification for UEFA Women's Euro 1991, which served as the qualifying tournament for the first women's World Cup in China. In the group stage, the Netherlands came first place with three wins and a draw against Ireland and Northern Ireland. In the quarter-finals they met Denmark in a two-legged tie. After a goalless draw in Denmark they lost the home game in Denekamp 0-1 after extra time.
As in 1991, UEFA designated the UEFA Women's Euro 1995 the qualifying tournament for that year's World Cup. The Netherlands failed to qualify in the group stage of qualification. This time Iceland, against which both games were lost, and Greece, against which both games were won, were the group opponents. As second in the group, they failed to reach the quarter-finals and the World Cup.
For the third World Cup, UEFA started its own qualification process. The Netherlands in the group stage encountered world champion Norway, European champion Germany, and England. In their home games, the Netherlands won 1–0 against Germany and 2–1 against England, and reached a goalless draw against Norway, but lost all three away games and placed third ahead of England.
For the 2003 World Cup, the Netherlands faced Germany and England again in qualification, as well as Portugal for the first time. The Netherlands started with a 0–0 draw in England, but then lost four games before they won against Portugal in the final game, resulting in third place overall. Germany, who won all the matches, this time qualified directly for the World Cup, which they ended up winning.
England and France were the opponents in qualification for the 2007 World Cup, which was held for the second time in China. As other group opponents, the Netherlands faced Austria and Hungary for the first time. The Netherlands started with two 1-0 victories in France and Austria, but then lost 1–0 to England. After a 5–0 in Hungary, they also lost the next home game, this time with 0–2 against France. This was followed by three games that ended 4-0: In England with four goals for England, as well as in the two home games with four goals for the Netherlands against Austria and Hungary.
In March 2010, Roger Reijners took over as the national team coach from Vera Pauw, who had coached the Netherlands since 2004, and was fired over differences with the association's leadership. At the draw for qualification they were tied with Norway again. Other opponents were Belarus, Slovakia, and Macedonia. The Netherlands started with a 0–3 loss in Norway. They followed up with the 13–1 against Macedonia, one of their two highest international wins, and a 1–1 against Belarus. All subsequent matches were won, except for the home game against Norway, which ended in a 2–2 draw. In the end the Netherlands placed second behind Norway, which won in the play-off round of the group winners against Ukraine.
Starting positions in the first World Cup match of the Netherlands
The Netherlands qualified for the 2015 World Cup. At the qualification draw for the World Cup in Canada, they were again matched with Norway. Other group opponents were Belgium, whom they beat in the first game 4–0, Portugal, Greece, and Albania. After a 0–7 win in Portugal, they lost out on direct qualification in the home games against Norway and Belgium losing 1-2 and drawing 1-1. However, on the final day of qualifying, the Netherlands were able to secure their participation in the playoff games of the runners-up by winning in Norway. In the playoffs they qualified for the first time with two wins against Scotland and, after a 1–1 home game a 2–1 victory in Italy. Both goals were scored by 18-year-old Vivianne Miedema, who became topscorer in the UEFA qualification with 16 goals.
In the draw for the groups, the Netherlands were not placed and were assigned to Group A with hosts Canada
In the second round they were eliminated by Japan.[2]
Vivianne Miedema, top scorer in World Cup qualificationStart positions in the final
In July 2017, the Netherlands won the UEFA Women's Euro's. In the World Cup qualification starting in September 2017 they were one of the group favorites, as they were Norway's supposedly strongest opponents.[citation needed] They won the first qualifier against Norway with 1–0, won against Slovakia with 5–0, and drew against Ireland with 0–0. Despite victories in the other games, a 1–2 defeat in Norway on the final day ensured they only finished second in the group and Norway qualified as group winners directly for the 2019 World Cup. As the best runner-up however, the Netherlands qualified for the playoffs of the four best runners-up. In the semi-final against Denmark, the Netherlands were victorious with two wins (2-0 and 2–1). In the playoff final, they met Switzerland. In the first leg, they won with 3–0. In the second leg, Anouk Dekker was sent off with a red card, and the result was a draw, making the Netherlands qualify for the second time for a World Cup.
In France, like in 2015, the Netherlands met Canada and New Zealand in the group stage as well as Cameroon.[7] With three wins, the Netherlands qualified for the knockout stages. Again like in 2015, Japan was the opponent in the first knock-out round.[8] With two goals from Lieke Martens, the Netherlands reached the quarter-final against Italy. The Netherlands won 2–0, with Miedema scoring her third World Cup goal. With this, the Netherlands also qualified for the Olympic Games 2020 for the first time. In the semi-final, after 90 goalless minutes, Jackie Groenen scored the only goal of the match in extra time.[9] The Netherlands reached the final, where they lost to defending champions United States with 0–2.[10]
Canada (H)
China
Netherlands
New Zealand
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Cameroon
Sweden
United States
Portugal
Vietnam
62'
South Africa
2011
2019
2027
