Highlights, United States vs Netherlands, FIFA Women’s World Cup final 2019: USA beat Netherlands to clinch fourth title

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

Congrats team USA! Billie says it best here! So happy for each one of you and so proud. ❤️ @USWNT https://t.co/WK2Yi2z8F4

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

34 Y 2 D - Megan Rapinoe (34 years, 2 days) is oldest player ever to win the #FIFAWWC Golden Boot or Golden Ball awards. Ageless. pic.twitter.com/6yqa9B8EiO

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

Golden Ball winner ✅

Golden Boot winner ✅

Two-time #FIFAWWC champion ✅

Megan Rapinoe you legend!#USANED #FIFAWWC

LIVE: https://t.co/dTt4FnkZ8U pic.twitter.com/kEZT63H8Fi

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

The US team form a guard of honour for their fallen opponents. The Netherlands’ run to the final was truly an inspiring one! They played for the first time in a World Cup in 2015, followed it up by clinching the Women’s European Championship and topped it up by reaching their first World Cup final.

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

Megan Rapinoe wins the golden boot!

Alex Morgan wins the silver boot!

Ellen White wins the bronze boot!#USANED #FIFAWWC

LIVE: https://t.co/dTt4FnkZ8U pic.twitter.com/4dQ2bC65cL

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

Rapinoe the 🐐.

— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

*extreme DJ Khaled voice* ANOTHER ONE pic.twitter.com/5uOAImiJj5

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 7, 2019

USA are 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

Jill Ellis becomes the first manager to win the #FIFAWWC title twice!

Take a bow!#USANED #FIFAWWC

LIVE: https://t.co/dTt4FnkZ8U pic.twitter.com/hBTGxyqp16

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 7, 2019

The United States of America are the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions!

The whistle goes off and the USA beat the Netherlands to defend their World Cup title! It was a scrappy final but the US showed their big game pedigree to get over the line in the end.

90+2 USA 2-0 NED

Chants of USA! USA! ring around the Groupama Stadium as the clock ticks down towards a fourth World Cup for this marauding US team.

90` USA 2-0 NED

Lloyd nearly has a fairytale farewell goal but is denied by a good challenge from Van Der Gragt. Five minutes added on at the end of the 90.

87` USA 2-0 NED

USA make their third and final change which sees the excellent Tobin Heath being replaced by Carli Llyod who comes on for her 261st US appearance and her 24th in World Cups.

85` USA 2-0 NED

3 - Megan Rapinoe is the third player to convert three penalties at a single #FIFAWCC tournament. Composure. pic.twitter.com/wUYTB9tOCh

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 7, 2019

82` USA 2-0 NED

Chance for a third as Tobin Heath finds herself in a 2-on-2 situation. She bears down on goal but Van Der Gragt does well to stay with Heath and force her away from goal.

80` USA 2-0 NED

26 - USA have scored 26 goals at the 2019 Women’s World Cup – more than any other side in a single edition of the competition. Prolific. #FIFAWWC #USANED pic.twitter.com/2oMShEaWMf

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2019

78` USA 2-0 NED

Second change of the night for the USA and it’s Megan Rapinoe who comes off to a standing ovation. Christen Press replaces her.

The Netherlands get a free-kick 25 yards away from goal. Spitse curls it towards the bottom right corner but the ball curls too much and goes wide.

76` USA 2-0 NED

Beerensteyn gets the Netherlands’ first shot on target but it is straight at Naeher.

75` USA 2-0 NED

Big save from Van Veenendaal to deny Crystal Dunn from close range after the left-back danced her way into the box. She has been the best player on the pitch tonight.

72` USA 2-0 NED

The Netherlands make a change and it’s Shanice van de Sanden who makes her way on to the pitch in place of Dekker. Morgan, meanwhile, is thwarted by Van Veenendaal.

69` USA 2-0 NED

Rose Lavelle doubles the USA’s lead! A brilliant run from the midfielder as she jinxes her way to the edge of the box before unleashing a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

66` USA 1-0 NED

As it stands, Rapinoe leads Morgan and Ellen White in the race for the Golden Boot having played one match fewer than the other two. The Netherlands, meanwhille, would surely look at Shanice van de Sanden on the bench to get them back in the match.

64` USA 1-0 NED

The Netherlands nearly get back on level terms but Viviene Miedema can’t sort her feet out after going on a brilliant run inside the American box. The Dutch now have to change their strategy and play on the attack now. That means more freedom for Rapinoe, Morgan and Heath to attack the Dutch defence.

61` USA 1-0 NED

Megan Rapinoe makes no mistake from the spot and the United States of America take the lead! Goal no 6 for Rapinoe now!

58` USA 0-0 NED

Van Der Gragt leaves a high boot which takes out Morgan. The referee initially awarded a corner but changes her mind after consulting with VAR.

57` USA 0-0 NED

Lavelle loses possession and the Dutch break away on the counter. Sauerbrunn, now sporting a bandage, ends the counter.

55` USA 0-0 NED

Sauerbrunn has to go off the field after receiving a nasty cut on her forehead while going for a 50-50 challenge. She’ll need stitching to stop the bleeding and the US are down to 10 players at the moment. Julie Ertz falls back to the heart of defence.

51` USA 0-0 NED

Crystal Dunn has a go from distance but ends up slicing the ball well wide of the goal.

50` USA 0-0 NED

Lieke Martens finds Beerensteyn and the Dutch forwards looks to wriggle her way into the box but Dahlkemper puts in a solid challenge to break the Dutch attack.

48` USA 0-0 NED

5 - @OranjeVrouwen have seen their opponents hit the woodwork 5 times this #FIFAWWC, more than any other side. Margins. #USANED pic.twitter.com/IAqXqYaXUR

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) July 7, 2019

46` USA 0-0 NED

Jill Ellis makes one change at half-time with Ali Krieger replacing Kelley O’Hara who cannot continue after the clash of head towards the end of the first half. US get a corner immediately which Ertz tries to flick onto the goal but heads it wide.

Stat attack!

The US have edged the Dutch in possession but still have no goal to show for it.

Half-time! USA 0-0 NED

Spitse has a go at goal from distance and wins a corner for the Dutch. A fascinating goal-mouth scramble ensues before Mewis heads the ball away. And that’s the last action of a thrilling first half!

45` USA 0-0 NED

Ooofff! That’s a nasty coming together between Martens and O’Hara and both players go down clutching their heads. With medical attention, they are able to sit up before being escorted off the pitch.

43` USA 0-0 NED

Spitse takes the free-kick but it’s well wide. The ball, though, took a touch of O’Hara’s head and the Dutch have a corner. The US repel the corner easily. The Netherlands have wasted a good opportunity there.

42` USA 0-0 NED

Beerensteyn is once again set free and she’s bearing down on the US goal only for Dahlkemper to slide in and stop her progress. That sees her being booked and the Dutch have a chance to take a shock lead from the free-kick!

40` USA 0-0 NED

Van Veenendaal is called into action once again and she delivers once again! Morgan blasts the ball from outside the box and Van Veenendaal dives to her right to keep the shot out. Top-class goalkeeping from the Arsenal custodian.

38` USA 0-0 NED

Two glorious chances form the US within a space of seconds! Rapinoe the creator of both chances from the right. Her first cross fizzes across the Dutch goal while her second one is directed towards goal by Mewis but it comes off the post and saved by Van Veenendaal.

36` USA 0-0 NED

Appeals for a penalty as Morgan goes down in the box. The referee awards them a corner instead much to the chagrin of Morgan and the host of US fans. Referee Stephanie Frappart is unmoved.

35` USA 0-0 NED

Van Der Gragt and  Dekker take too long on the ball allowing Rapinoe and Morgan to close them down leading to Dekker to hoof the ball forward. The US regain possession and it looks like the US can hit the Dutch on the counter but Dekker is saved by the offside flag.

33` USA 0-0 NED

Kelley O’Hara pings in a cross from the right towards Rapinoe. Van Lunteren is at hand to put it behind for a corner. A poor US corner follows and the ball is played all the way back to keeper Naeher. US rebuild once again.

28` USA 0-0 NED

What a save from Van Veenendaal! The US win a corner which pings around in the box before Ertz pounces on it and blasts it towards goal. Van Veenendaal has less than a second to react but she sticks out both her hands to keep the ball out.

25` USA 0-0 NED

Miedema is playing in deeper role tonight. An unorthodox no 10 role with Beerensteyn playing advance. The Arsenal forward picks up Beerensteyn’s run and the Dutch forward is off. Naeher comes off her line and hoofs the ball just as Beerensteyn got to it.

22` USA 0-0 NED

The US have a slight edge in possession as they lead the Dutch 56 percent to 44 percent. But to their credit, the Dutch defence of Bloodworth, Van Der Gragt, Dekker and Van Lunteren have done an excellent job of keeping the US trio of Rapinoe, Heath and Morgan at bay.

19` USA 0-0 NED

A rare Dutch attack is snuffed at the edge of the box with a good steal from Crystal Dunn. The US left-back, who is a winger by nature, has done a stunning job in defence. She is one of the underrated stars of the tournament.

18` USA 0-0 NED

Once again Rapinoe finds herself in acres of space in front of her. However, Dekker steals the ball away. Rapinoe wants a free-kick but is waved away. The Dutch fans make their feelings off Rapinoe clear as boos ring out from the Dutch corner in the stadium.

16` USA 0-0 NED

Rapinoe gallops away on the left and she wins a corner off Dekker. She takes the corner which falls to Heath and then Lavelle, who tries to find a teammate. Van Veenendaal snatches it to relieve some pressure.

15` USA 0-0 NED

15 minutes up and the Netherlands become the first team at the World Cup tp prevent the US from scoring in the opening 15 minutes.

12` USA 0-0 NED

A chance for the Netherlands! Beerensteyn goes chasing after a fizzing through ball from deep and she has Sauerbrunn for company. The US centre-back comes between Beerensteyn and the ball allowing Naeher to come off her line and gather the ball.

10` USA 0-0 NED

Tobin Heath takes the free-kick from the right but the Dutch clear the ball away and Bloodworth gets a free-kick after drawing a foul from Ertz. No cards shown though. The Dutch have started well to keep the US at bay.

9` USA 0-0 NED

Spitse with a heavy challenge on Lavelle and the US midfielder is flattened. No foul though. Lavelle dusts herself off and a minute later, Spitse lunges with her studs up on Lavelle and she finds herself in the book. Early chance for the US.

6` USA 0-0 NED

Van Lunteren’s sloppy play in her own box allows Rapinoe to steal the ball from her. However, her cross isn’t near an American shirt and the Dutch survive.

4` USA 0-0 NED

The Dutch launch a counter-attack but Lieke Martens sprays her pass wide and can’t wide Vivianne Miedema.

3` USA 0-0 NED

The USA start strongly as is the norm. But play has to be stopped as a second ball is on the pitch. Dunn and Lavelle combine well on the left but the Dutch stand strong, for now.

Kick-off! 

The USA get us underway. They have scored inside 15 minutes in each of their matches in the tournament. Can they strike early again?

Countdown to kick-off!

Time for the national anthems. First up, is the Star Spangled Banner which is sung by every US player apart from captain Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe was one of the first athletes to support Colin Kaepernick and has staunchly refused to sing the national anthem ever since. The Netherlands’ Wilhelmus van Nassouwe is shorter but sung passionately nevertheless.

Countdown to kick-off!

Carla Overbeck, a two-time winner for the USA in 1991 and 1999 brings out the World Cup trophy to a loud roar around the stadium. The US and Netherlands teams stream out of the tunnel to an even louder roar from the fans at the stadium!

The Netherlands’ road to the final

Group Stage

New Zealand 0 – 1 Netherlands

Netherlands 3 – 1 Cameroon

Netherlands 2 – 1 Canada

Round of 16

Netherlands 2 – 1 Japan

Quarter-final 

Italy 0 – 2 Netherlands

Semi-final

Netherlands 1 – 0 Sweden (aet)

USA’s road to the final

Group Stage

USA 13 – 0 Thailand

Chile 0 – 3 USA

USA 2- 0 Sweden

Round of 16

USA 2 – 1 Spain

Quarter-final

France 1 – 2 USA

Semi-final

USA 2 – 1 England

Can the Netherlands become the third European side to win the World Cup?

8 - @oranjevrouwen are the eighth different team to participate in the Women’s World Cup final – the only European nations to win the trophy are Germany (2003 & 2007) & Norway (1995). Fearless. #FIFAWWC #USANED pic.twitter.com/AEOO7Fsnx3

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2019

Race for the Golden Boot

Alex Morgan is tied with England’s Ellen White in the race for the Golden Boot with six goals each. Can she score one and win the title all for herself? Or will we see Megan Rapinoe sneak in a couple of goals and pip Morgan and White for the Golden Boot?

US coach Jill Ellis on what it would mean for them to win their fourth title

Jill Ellis on what it would mean for #USA to win a fourth #FIFAWWC title@FIFAWWC_USA | #LaGrandeMatch | #FIFAWWC
TV listings 👉 https://t.co/t64sDOmQGs pic.twitter.com/pg06DYfaZ7

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 7, 2019

The USA are a class apart

11 - The #USWNT has won a #FIFAWWC record 11 consecutive matches, as well as 12 straight games in all competitions. They have kept eight clean sheets in those 12 matches. Soaring. pic.twitter.com/eIQxcu1fWx

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 7, 2019

Team news!

Lieke Martens has managed to shake off her toe injury to be fit for the final!

NED: Van Veenendaal, Bloodworth, Van Der Gragt, Dekker, Van Lunteren, Spitse, Van De Donk, Groenen, Martens, Miedema, Beerensteyn

Team news!

Megan Rapione is back for the USA! Jill Ellis makes two changes. Christen Press and Lindsey Horan make way for Rapinoe and Sam Mewis.

USA: Naeher, Dunn, Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper, O’Hara, Lavelle, Ertz, Mewis, Rapinoe, Morgan, Heath

United States start as clear favourites, but underdog Netherlands will be no pushover in final

Whoever wins on Sunday, this edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been a celebration of women’s football, the much-needed spectacle which would take the sport from the periphery of conversation into the dead epicentre. There have been plenty of flagbearers to enrich the game throughout this past month, and these two teams could only augment the tenet, all the while achieving their own dreams in the process.

Read more from Sreya Mazumder’s preview here .

It’s time for Le Grande Finale! The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is upon us and we have a cracker of a final to look ahead to. Defending champions USA take on European champions the Netherlands at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Team news in a bit!