A second half onslaught saw France overpower the Netherlands in Basel to secure top spot in Group D at EURO 2025.
Knowing they needed to win by three clear goals to advance, the Netherlands went into the break ahead thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Selma Bacha after Sandie Toletti and Victoria Pelova had traded volleys.
Unfortunately for the Oranje Leeuwinnen, any faint, flickering hopes of a route out of Group D were snuffed out in a devastating six-minute spell from Les Bleus. Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s calm finish and a brace from Delphine Cascarino ripped the game from their grasp, and Sakina Karchaoui’s penalty right on 90 provided the final nail in the coffin of their Euro hopes.
The Lineups
NED: Van Domselaar, Casparij, Janssen, Spitse, Wilms, Pelova, Groenen, Roord, Van de Donk, Beerensteyn, Grant
FRA: Peyraud-Magnin, Bacha, Sombath, Samoura, De Almeida, Karchaoui, Toletti, Jean-François, Baltimore, Katoto, Cascarino
Early action in Switzerland
Within the first minute, the Dutch got to work in trying to make the miracle happen. Casparij sent a dangerous cross into the French penalty area that just evaded Chasity Grant’s run to the back post. Pelova then came even close, a fierce drive that stung the palms of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
But having survived the early wave of orange, France, having reverted back to the side that started against England, began to exert their influence on proceedings. Cascarino’s mazy run into the box dazzled the Dutch defence, with the exception of Daphne van Domselaar, who was equal to both her effort and Karchaou’s volleyed rebound.
Whilst van Domeselaar had done well to keep Les Bleus at bay, there was nothing she could do on 22 minutes. Sandie Toletti’s volley from the edge of the box was far too accurate, beyond the dive of the Arsenal shot-stopper and into the bottom corner.
Knowing what was at stake, the Oranje Leeuwinnen roared back. Grant’s volley was superbly saved by Peyraud-Magnin, but with the keeper now out of the game, Pelova converted the rebound with a well-executed volley of her own.
With the Dutch now on the scoreboard, the earlier confidence in their play returned. Van de Donk and Beerensteyn both went close to giving their side a priceless lead before halftime. Ultimately, it would be France who would gift it to them. Again, Pelova was the architect, her low cross caused carnage in the 6-yard box. Lineth Beerensteyn missed the ball, but it was unwittingly deflected in her own net by the helpless Selma Bacha.
Les Bleues’ dominance continues
With 30 minutes left to play, the miracle still appeared possible. Seven minutes later, the dream was over. The Dutch carelessly lost possession from their own free kick, and were ruthlessly caught in transition. Cascarino’s pass sent Katoto clear of the misshapen defence, and she calmly tucked the ball past Van Domselaar.
Three minutes later, Cascarino charged at the Dutch penalty area. In panic, the defensive line went in full retreat, inviting the San Diego Wave striker to unleash a thunderbolt from 25 yards that flew into the top corner and restored France’s lead.
A further three minutes later, it was all over. Sandy Baltimore’s dinked pass got Katoto behind the defence once again, her effort ricocheted off both posts, but Cascarino was on hand to slam the rebound into the net.
With the Netherlands now a beaten side, France continued to plug away to add further gloss to the already impressive scoreline. When Kerstin Casparij clumsily brought down Melween N’Dongala on the 90th minute, they were given the perfect oppurtunity to do that. Sakina Karchaoui slammed the ball down the middle to round off another impressive performance and rubber-stamp the Netherlands Group Stage departure for the first time since 2013.
Jonker’s last stand collapses
It was already a long shot for the Netherlands to qualify from the group before their final match against France. Their wretched performance in the 4-0 defeat to England had put them at a major disadvantage in the head-to-head records. And yet, for the first 45 minutes, the Dutch played some of their best football of the tournament, giving themselves a deserved lead at the break and a fighters chance of winning the match. It will be of huge frustration from the travelling Orange Army that they were not able to exhibit any of these qualities in their previous match.
However, as has been so often the case under Andries Jonker, all of their good work in the first 45 was scrubbed out in a second-half collapse, as they struggled to live with France’s greater intensity. Defensive mistakes and cheap concession of possession gifted France a route back into the game which they were never going to pass up. And once they were ahead, there was never any sign of a response, as though the white flag had been waved. It said a lot that their talismanic striker, Vivianne Miedema, who hit her 100th goal for her country earlier in the tournament, did not start the match, and when they needed a goal, was never called upon.
What comes next for the Netherlands?
This was the Netherland’s toughest assignment, and even at their best, they weren’t good enough. Andries Jonker departs after a campaign of confusion in communication and conflict with the media. It has been a desperately poor showing from the 2017 champions, who have now suffered the ignominy of an early exit.
They are a side who have struggled to find a manager capable of sustaining Sarina Wiegman’s legacy, with Mark Parson’s quarter final run at Euro 2022 equally unconvincing. It is therefore fitting that Jonker’s successor will be Arjan Veurink, currently Wiegman’s assistant with the Lionesses, and fans will be hoping he can bring a bit of that Sarina stardust back to their side.
Electric France progress
For most of the tournament, Spain have been the great entertainers, with beautiful passages of play, individual magic, a gluttony of goals and convincing victories. So far, only France can hold a candle to them. The 2-1 win over England did them a major disservice, they easily brushed off Wales with a rotated side, and in the second half against the Netherlands, they were simply electric.
Baltimore, Katoto and Cascarino are a front three to be feared. Loaded with pace, physicality and excellent chemistry amongst each other, the ruthless manner in which they dismantled the Dutch was a sight to behold. There was no hesitancy in their play, everything was fast, instinctive and highly effective, and so far no side has been able to live with them.
However, we’ve seen this movie plenty of times before. For years, France have arrived at tournaments with impressive teams playing brilliant football. only to then fumble in the knockout rounds. France have never won a European Championship, they’ve never even reached a final, and this time their path this time is harder than it’s ever been. Their reward for topping the group is a match with eight time winners Germany, and then a potential clash with either hosts Switzerland or World Champions Spain.
France have delighted us all so far with their high level of play, but being able to sustain that across a whole tournament is a hurdle their predecessors were never able to overcome. That is the next challenge for this new generation of exciting talent.
You can read all of the latest news, analysis and opinion at Euro 2025 on The Halfway Line.
