Netherlands Beats South Africa 2-0 to Advance to the Quarterfinals of Women’s World Cup

 Netherlands' Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Stefanie Van der Gragt congratulate teammate Jill Roord, right, after she scored their first goal during the Women's World Cup Group round of 16 soccer match between Netherlands and South Africa at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP)
Netherlands' Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Stefanie Van der Gragt congratulate teammate Jill Roord, right, after she scored their first goal during the Women's World Cup Group round of 16 soccer match between Netherlands and South Africa at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP)
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Netherlands Beats South Africa 2-0 to Advance to the Quarterfinals of Women’s World Cup

 Netherlands' Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Stefanie Van der Gragt congratulate teammate Jill Roord, right, after she scored their first goal during the Women's World Cup Group round of 16 soccer match between Netherlands and South Africa at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP)
Netherlands' Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Stefanie Van der Gragt congratulate teammate Jill Roord, right, after she scored their first goal during the Women's World Cup Group round of 16 soccer match between Netherlands and South Africa at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP)

Netherlands advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 win over South Africa.

Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn scored in each half at the Sydney Football Stadium to secure the 2019 runners-up a place in the last eight.

But South Africa, one of the surprise teams of the tournament, gave the Dutch some nervous moments, forcing goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar into a string of saves to keep Thembi Kgatlana at bay.

Netherlands lost to the US team in the World Cup final four years ago and look like contenders again after finishing above the Americans in Group E.

South Africa had already exceeded expectations by advancing to the knockout stage for the first time after its dramatic 3-2 win over Italy in its final group game.

But goals from Roord in the ninth minute and Beerensteyn in the 68th, after an error from keeper Kaylin Swart, ended its unlikely run.

Netherlands went close to taking the lead just before Roord's goal when Esmee Brugts swung in a curling shot that Swart had to push over the bar.

Roord struck from the resulting corner.

Sherida Spitse’s cross was headed toward goal by Lieke Martens, which forced Swart into action again. But from her save, the ball looped in the air and Roord headed over the line from close range to score her fourth goal of the tournament.

Danielle van de Donk was close to extending the lead but was denied by the feet of Swart from inside the box, and Kgatlana tested Van Domselaar as South Africa showed its threat on the break.

Kgatlana came closer still when through on goal just before the halftime, but couldn’t find a way past Van Domselaar.

South Africa ended the half the stronger as Kgatlana repeatedly burst beyond the Netherlands defense.

Its response to going behind was even more impressive, considering it had to contend with injuries to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbane in the first half.

Netherlands regained control after the restart and the Dutch thought they'd doubled their lead when Martens turned and converted in the 54th. But their celebrations were cut short when it was ruled out on VAR review for offside.

South Africa offered little threat as it struggled to get possession and Netherlands scored its second after an error from Swart.

Beerensteyn’s weak shot should have been easily caught by Swart, but she allowed it to squirm out of her control and over the line.

Just as in the first half, Netherlands’ goal sparked a reaction from the South African players and Linda Motlhalo was denied when Van Domselaar pushed her low effort round the post.

The only negative for Netherlands was a yellow card for Van de Donk, who will now miss the quarterfinal match against Spain.



Bayern Aim to Go Full Throttle Despite Weakened Defense, Says Kompany

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v St. Pauli - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 29, 2025 Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v St. Pauli - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 29, 2025 Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo
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Bayern Aim to Go Full Throttle Despite Weakened Defense, Says Kompany

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v St. Pauli - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 29, 2025 Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v St. Pauli - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 29, 2025 Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are aiming to go "full throttle" and adapt creatively in the final stretch of the season after injuries in defence, coach Vincent Kompany said ahead of Friday's visit to mid-table Augsburg.

With 65 points from 27 games, Bayern hold a six-point lead over holders Bayer Leverkusen. They have won one of their last three Bundesliga matches, losing to lowly visitors VfL Bochum and drawing at Union Berlin before a 3-2 home win over St Pauli.

They are without left back Alphonso Davies and central defender Dayot Upamecano, probably for the rest of the season, and lost centre back Hiroki Ito to a metatarsal fracture in the St Pauli win.

However, Kompany has backed his side to stay confident and aggressive in their seven remaining league games.

"We have a few options for the full-back position. You can also get creative. The important thing is that we have confidence and it doesn't change the fact that we have to go full throttle. We want to win," the 38-year-old told reporters on Thursday, Reuters reported.

"During the international break, we had time to look ahead. You think about how you want to approach these upcoming games, but then we had three fresh injuries. What I want is for the lads to stay fit and then we will get the results."

The Belgian coach named defender Sacha Boey as a good addition to the back line. The 24-year-old has made 12 appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season.

"Sacha is a player who loves playing on the right. He's fit and definitely an option, and he'll get his minutes in the coming weeks. He was in a good position before his injury and hopefully he'll show his qualities again," said Kompany.

"We currently have six players who have regularly played at full-back. It's important that they stay fit."

After the Augsburg trip, Bayern host Serie A leaders Inter Milan in a Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.