USWNT vs. Netherlands score: Alyssa Naeher shootout heroics lead USA into Tokyo Olympics semifinals

USWNT move on in a thriller, and will face Canada Monday in the semifinals

The United States women's national team advanced to the OIympic semifinals on a penalty kick shootout, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made two saves and Megan Rapinoe scored the deciding penalty kick.

Regulation

U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonivski made several rotations to his starting lineup from the previous match, opting to go with Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Williams as the front line. The USWNT returned to their high press, and looked like the dominant counter pressing team they'd been prior to their Olympic group stage struggles. USA quickly established tempo early, and had a goal ruled offside, before Miedema scored the opening goal of the match in the 17th minute.

USA responded just ten minutes later with a diving header from Mewis. The decision to slot in Williams continued to pay off, as the forward was active in the attack from the opening whistle, recording an assist on the Mewis' goal and recording the first half go-ahead goal in the 30th minute.

An early second half equalizer for the Netherlands came by way of Miedema once again in the 53rd minute. Andonovski made adjustments just past the hour mark with a triple substitution of Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, and Christen Press for Mewis, Williams, and Lloyd. Even with a new attacking line, the second half highlight was delivered by Alyssa Naeher, as she came up with a big late game penalty save on Lieke Martens in the 80th minute as the two sides headed into extra time.

Extra time

Miedema and Netherlands had the majority of looks during the first period of extra time, as USA struggled to generate any attack despite their fresh legs, conceding corners, and losing the pressing game. Naeher came up with a big save on Miedema before the second half of extra time. USA had chances in the latter half of the second half of extra time from Christen Press and Alex Morgan, but both goals were ruled offside as the two sides needed a penalty shootout to determine the outcome.

Two goliaths in Miedema and Naeher kicked off the shootout, with Naeher making a save against the Olympics best goal scorer. The two teams exchanged two makes each, until Naeher came up with a second save on Nouwen, and Rapinoe slotted the deciding penalty kick to seal a semifinal appearance for Team USA.

Look ahead

The United States advance, and will face their Concacaf rivals Canada on August 2 in a semifinal match for a trip to the Olympic gold medal final to take place on August 5.

United States 2, Netherlands 2 (Penalties 4-2)

Netherlands ⚽: Vivianne Miedema 18'
United States ⚽: Samantha Mewis 28'
United States: ⚽: Lynn Williams 31'
Netherlands ⚽: Vivianne Miedema 54'

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:58 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Let’s keep it going fam! 👊🇺🇸 https://t.co/KzaQr91jal

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:52 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

And then there were four 👀

🇺🇸 vs 🇨🇦 coming up Monday for a spot in the Gold Medal Match! pic.twitter.com/tJHijkYJeC

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:44 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Headed to the semis like 😤 #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/mp5Aafu6ZR

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:33 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

The thrill of victory. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/44Nqi26KeJ

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:25 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

I mean, would you expect anything less from @mPinoe? 😁 pic.twitter.com/IZNV0TN0MO

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:22 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

🧡🦁#TeamNL pic.twitter.com/H0uH2egkeg

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:12 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

One in regulation, two in the shootout 😤

Absolutely incredible from @AlyssaNaeher tonight (and most nights, but ESPECIALLY tonight) 🇺🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/2Z3L0saWC4

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:10 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Zó dichtbij... 😔#NEDUSA #TeamNL #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/zwUyfHQUsS

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:07 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Voting for the Insiders Woman of the Match is now open!

🇺🇸 @AlyssaNaeher
🇺🇸 @sammymewy
🇺🇸 @lynnraenie

Download the official U.S. Soccer App to vote!

📲: https://t.co/sIlmzUxBRX pic.twitter.com/HzFq5gp4ov

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 10:04 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

This team NEVER quits 😤 pic.twitter.com/wJ5gtjgoKc

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:59 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Alles gegeven, en toch houdt onze Olympische droom hier op...#TeamNL pic.twitter.com/gWwV1TruUi

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:55 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

WHAT A GAME! WHAT A TEAM!
To the semis we go! 🇺🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pkn4NTMM9i

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:49 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Win or go home AND WE’RE NOT GOING HOME YET 😤 pic.twitter.com/qdK7Aa7c4s

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:47 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

WHAT A FREAKING GAME!! 🇺🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/szzrT3yvPD

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:45 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Rappinoe beslist het. USA wint na strafschoppen.

❌✅✅❌
✅✅✅✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:45 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

.@mPinoe CALLED GAME!!! TO THE SEMIS WE GO!!

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:45 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Nouwen mist haar strafschop.

❌✅✅❌
✅✅✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:44 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Press schiet de bal in de hoek en zet USA weer op voorsprong.

❌✅✅
✅✅✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:43 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Van der Gragt schiet via de paal binnen.

❌✅✅
✅✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:42 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

FREAKING FRAME IT 😤 @AlyssaNaeher pic.twitter.com/wl0MFCPSTC

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:42 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Morgan scoort namens USA: 1-2.

❌✅
✅✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:42 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Janssen blijft koel en schiet de bal binnen: 1-1.

❌✅
✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:41 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Lavelle schiet wel raak: 0-1.

❌
✅#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:40 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

Miedema neemt de eerste penalty... En mist.

❌#NEDUSA

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:38 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Here we go! 🇳🇱 to kick first

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:34 am ET · @oranjevrouwen via Twitter]

120. Deze kwartfinale gaat beslist worden met strafschoppen.#NEDUSA #TeamNL pic.twitter.com/5xsIfxrneG

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:34 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Penalty kicks. LET'S GET IT! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/paMzgn0ZiS

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:32 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

119' | Massive tackle by @LindseyHoran spurs a counter and we've got a corner! LET'S GOOOO

🇺🇸 2-2 🇳🇱 | #Tokyo2020

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:27 am ET · Mike Goodman]

Nine offside goals for the USWNT now. One more than the eight goals they've scored in the tournament. The calls haven't been bad or wrong, it's just an incredibly record nonetheless.

[Jul 30, 2021 at 9:27 am ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Whatever a healthy heart rate is.... we're not close to that right now

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 30, 2021