FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Final: USA vs Netherlands – tactical analysis

Hurt and disappointment for the Netherlands as they were denied their first-ever FIFA Womens World Cup title after losing 2-0 to an extraordinary USA side.

The USA successfully defended their FIFA Womens World Cup title after defeating first-time finalists the Netherlands thanks goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle. Prior to the game, there were some worries that these two players might miss out on the final due to injuries. But both were deemed fit enough to play and started against De Oranje Leeuwinnen. Ultimately, these two became the heroes of the USA after scoring the winning goals via a coolly-taken penalty and a magnificent goal following a solo run.

Both goals were scored in the second half, but the USA have been dominating the game since the start of the game. Both teams may be level in terms of player quality. However, tactically, everybody that watched the game knows which ones superior.

Now lets get a closer look at how both teams fare against each other in this tactical analysis.

Lineups

USA (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Naeher  OHara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn  Lavelle, Ertz, Mewis  Heath, Morgan, Rapinoe

Bench: Lloyd, Press, McDonald, Franch, Long, Harris, Sonnett, Davidson, Krieger, Horan, Brian, Pugh

Coach: Jill Ellis

Netherlands (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: van Veenendaal  van Lunteren, Dekker, van der Gragt, Bloodworth  Groenen, Spitse  van de Donk, Miedema, Martens  Beerensteyn

Bench: Geurts, van der Most, Roord, Kerkdijk, Jansen, Kop, Kaagman, Jansen, Pelova, van de Sanden, van Es, van Dongen

Coach: Sarina Wiegman

Both teams setup  tactical analysis

USA

Ellis deployed her team in the usual 4-3-3 system in this match. The USWNT coach has used the very same system throughout the entire competition, albeit a little tactical tweak in every match.

There were only two changes in the starting lineup. Sam Mewis started in the left centre-mid spot ahead of Lindsey Horan in the game. Meanwhile, Christen Press was back on the bench while USA captain Rapinoe saw her name once again in the starting 11.

Ellis seemed to employ the 4-3-3 system until midway through the second half when she decided to play a five-man defensive system. In this system, Julie Ertz seemed to drop deeper into the centre-back spot, playing between Abby Dahlkemper and Becky Sauerbrunn. They formed a 5-4-1 shape in defence, which could turn into a 5-2-3 in attack.

Netherlands

Sarina Wiegman made a considerable amount of changes in the game against USA and were not only talking about the starting lineup. Perhaps after using very similar tactics throughout the competition, Wiegman was worried that the USA might be able to read their game and easily anticipate their tactical plays. She seemed to try to surprise Ellis and her side in the final. Unluckily, their game plan didnt work out and the USA unsurprisingly dominated the game since the first half.

Wiegman fielded her team in a 4-2-3-1 system. Now there were some questions that need to be asked when we look at her teams setup.

Firstly, Wiegman chose not to play both Merel van Dongen and Kika van Es  starting Dominique Bloodworth in the left-back berth instead. Experienced centre-back Anouk Dekker and Stefanie van der Gragt paired up in the heart of the defence.

Secondly, attacking midfielder Danielle van de Donk was moved to play on the right-wing. Right-winger Lineth Beerensteyn played as the centre-forward in this game, while Dutch top scorer Vivianne Miedema moved deeper to play behind the former in the attacking midfield spot.

Late in the second half, Wiegman took off Dekker for Shanice van de Sanden  therefore shifting the shape of her team into a 3-4-3 (3-3-1-3). It still didnt work well both offensively and defensively  in fact, it might have made it worse for her team.

We will delve deeper to analyse Wiegmans tactical decisions in this match in this tactical analysis.

Netherlands got a taste of their own medicine

The USA started the game with attacking intent, they moved the ball around quickly, trying to get forward. Their intention was to take the lead early in the game which would put them in an advantageous position. They exchanged quick one-two touch passes every time, rarely wasting time with the ball. They were also extremely quick on the break after recovering possession.

Ellis side usually built their play out from the back, but they play a very quick, very straightforward passing play  preferring to move the ball vertically. Theyd usually try to play medium-long range diagonal passes. With the Netherlands allowing themselves to freely play the ball at the back, the USA pushed their defenders high, putting pressure to the Netherlands and pinning them inside their own half, even when theyre (USA) not in a defensive stance.

This, of course, posed some risk to USA themselves, knowing that their opponents were very quick in breakaways. But the USWNT managed to anticipate the Dutch counter-attacks by destroying the root of the problem. Immediately after losing possession, the USA would counter-press and swarm the ball-carrier. This is something that Ive mentioned numerous times in the previous tactical analysis regarding the Netherlands  that they are struggling against teams who block high and press aggressively  and especially the ones who counter-press. The two centre-backs + Sherida Spitse are the backbones of the Netherlands buildup. If you mark them tightly, press them aggressively  the Dutch will have a very, very difficult time in the game.

To make matters worse, the two centre-backs, Dekker and van der Gragt are not as proficient in playing the ball as Bloodworth. They were unable to handle the pressure given by the USA, often panicking and losing possession once again in their own half via inaccurate passes and failed clearances.

Bloodworth, on the other hand, was played on the left side of the defence. She didnt seem to be able to distribute the ball well due to the tight space provided to her. Bloodworth, despite being a rather decent dribbler, also seemed to concede possession numerous times in the game. Most of the time, shed attempt to dribble the ball inwards so that she could make a pass with her favoured right foot. A lot of time, that ended in failure as both Lavelle and Tobin Heath would immediately swarm her, win the ball back and launch a counter on her side of the defence.

The USA tried to exploit spaces out wide, forming a 2-3-5 shape in attack.