Alyssa Naeher was the match winner for USWNT during USA vs Netherlands women soccer match on Friday as she pulled off 3 penalty saves during the Tokyo Olympics soccer tie
Winning 2-1 in the first half of their Tokyo Olympics soccer showdown against Netherlands, USA looked set to canter their way into the semi-final of the games. However, the side was bogged down come the second half with a resilient Dutch outfit putting on an impressive show in the ensuing 45 minutes.
Restoring parity in the tie, Netherlands pushed hard for the winner. With Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan both on the bench for USWNT, Netherlands knew they were in with a shout of making it into the semi-finals.
Tokyo Olympics Football Live: Alyssa Naeher The Hero For USWNT With Three Penalty Savesย
With momentum in their ranks, Netherlands peppered USAโs goal with wave after wave of attack. And they were rewarded for their unnerving persistent with the country being awarded a penalty in the 80th minute after Lineth Beerensteyn was brought down in the box by Kelley O’Hara.
Lieke Martens stepped upto take the crucial kick, one which looked to seal the tie in Netherlandsโ favour. However, USWNTโs shot stopper, Alyssa Naeher had other plans has she thwarted a tame effort by Martens directed low towards the right corner of the goal.
Buoyed by that save, USA were able to regroup and get their house in order. The side managed to keep Netherlands at bay to take the tie into extra-time, one which failed to separate the deadlock between the two teams as well.
With the clash going into penalties, Alyssa Naeher once again had a colossal task on her hands. And she was more then willing to up the ante once again as she saved twice, keeping out penalties from Vivianne Miedema and Aniek Nouwen on the day.
Alyssa Naeher sort deux tirs au but et donne l'opportunitรฉ ร Rapinoe de qualifier les รtats-Unis.
Fin de parcours pour les Pays-Bas !#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/VZq6WYEpMg— PiedsCarrรฉs-Fรฉminin (@PiedsCarresFem) July 30, 2021
THANK YOU, ALYSSA NAEHER! ๐pic.twitter.com/bwDg9YEDtq
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 30, 2021
The US meanwhile converted all four its efforts with Megan Rapinoe hitting the winning penalty for her side to take her country to a 4-2 win on penalties.
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