FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Tactical Analysis: Netherlands vs Canada

The third and final group stage match of any World Cup is always slightly difficult especially if one or more teams in the group have already qualified for the latter stages of the competition. This was the case in this match given that the top two in the group would qualify as well as the best placed third place teams. With that said, however, the result of this match would go a long way to deciding on the opponents that the Dutch and Canadians would meet in the first knockout round.

In their opening group matches the Dutch had struggled somewhat to win close matches against New Zealand and Cameroon. Canada had performed in a similar fashion to also win their first two group matches. Whilst the Canadians were largely playing with a somewhat limited 4-4-2 structure, the Dutch, on the other hand, are faithful to the Dutch way with a 4-3-3 that is similar to that used by the Mens international team.

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The lineups and structures of the two sides were largely as expected going into this match. For the Dutch, the Arsenal midfielder Danielle van de Donk has impressed throughout the tournament in midfield. They are always, however, most dangerous in the final third with their attacking triumvirate of Lieke Martens, Vivianne Miedema and Shanice van de Sanden all posing a significant threat to their opponents.

For Canada, the excellent and experienced Christine Sinclair continues to lead the attack. On the wings, they boast the dangerous due of Janine Beckie, of Manchester City, and Jordyn Huitema, of Paris St Germain. As we would see as the play developed though these two wide players would be narrow in the attacking phase as the fullbacks were largely left to provide width.

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