In the last 13 years, it has lost just one game a year while lifting three successive World Cups. On a chilly summer evening at the Wagener Stadion, Argentina’s women had their own Maracanazo moment. Netherlands does not lose often.
On Saturday, too, Netherlands was on the verge of winning before Argentina struck late to hold it to a 1-1 draw. The result (final): Netherlands 1 (Yibbi Jansen 30-pc) drew with Argentina 1 (Maria Granatto 53-pc). Argentina won 3-1 on penalties.
The Argentines went on to dethrone the Dutch in a penalty shootout.
In the third-place play-off, co-host Belgium beat Australia 1-0 through a goal from Charlotte Engelbert. In response, Argentina’s penalty corner set-up squandered four chances in the third quarter. With seven minutes to go, Argentina opted for a variation. Agustina Gorzelany fired her dragpush into the path of a teammate, who deflected the ball to an unmarked Maria Granatto for the equaliser.