WWC round-up: Netherlands end South Africa’s run as Sweden beat holders USA

The Netherlands have progressed to the last eight for the second successive Women’s World Cup.

The Europeans dumped out South Africa in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win at the Sydney Football Stadium in Australia on Sunday.

The Oranje Leeuwinnen found the net twice after staving off the onslaughts of Thembi Kgatlana, South Africa’s star forward.

The 2019 finalists took the lead thanks to Jill Roord’s close-range header — the Manchester City midfielder’s fourth goal of the World Cup.

A calamitous error in the 68th minute from goalkeeper Kaylin Swart allowed Lineth Beerensteyn to score the second goal of the game.

The Netherlands will face the Spaniards in a quarter-final game that promises to be exciting.

In the other match of the day, Sweden edged out USA 5-4 on penalties to qualify for the last eight.

The game went into extra time after both sides failed to convert the chances they had in regulation.

Alyssa Naeher nearly kept it out 🧤 pic.twitter.com/DjpatlgCKD

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023

Sweden will face Japan in the quarter-final.