Lieke Martens steers Netherlands to win over Sweden and semi-final spot

Barcelona-bound Lieke Martens scored once and helped set up a goal as the Netherlands beat Sweden to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s European Championship.

The 24-year-old, who signed a deal with the Spanish giants earlier this month, broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark with a wonderful free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

After a desperately poor opening half, Sweden rallied at the start of the second period and should have levelled the game but leading striker Stina Blackstenius, who had scored two goals in the group stages, proved wasteful.

The Netherlands were by far the better side though and their superiority was rewarded as they doubled their lead in stylish fashion. Shanice Van de Sanden delivered the perfect pass to Vivanne Miedema who slid the ball into an empty net to finish a lovely team move, started by Martens, and wrap up a memorable victory in front of a sell-out crowd in Doetinchem.

The hosts will play the winner of France and England in the semi-finals on Thursday as they bid to lift the trophy for the first ever time.

Fantastic Netherlands: The hosts produced a performance of the highest quality; one which will catch the attention of the other quarter-finalists. Oranje has never won the UEFA Women’s Championships, but with the likes of Lieke Martens, Shanice van de Sanden and Vivanne Miedema amongst their ranks, and with their raucous supporters behind them, they may never have a better opportunity.

Lieke Martens (Netherlands) – The playmaker has all of the qualities to make it to the very top of the game, and they were all on display here. Can she inspire her nation to their first ever final?

Netherlands: van Veenendaal 7, van Lunteren 7, Dekker 6, van der Gragt 7, van Es 6, Groenen 6, van de Donk 7, Spitse 6, van de Sanden 7, Miedema 8, Martens 8. Subs: Janssen 6, Beerensteyn N/A.

Sweden: Lindahl 5, Samuelsson 6, Fischer 5, Sembrant 5, Andersson 5, Schelin 5, Dahlkvist 5, Seger 5, Asllani 5, Blackstenius 5, Rolfö 6. Subs: Folkesson 5, Larsson N/A.

32’ - DRAMA! Miedema is felled inside the penalty area! However, the referee signals for a Netherlands free-kick, right on the edge.

33’ - GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Sweden. Who else? Lieke Martens curls the ball beautifully around the wall and into the bottom right corner of Sweden's goal with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

53’ - OVER! She's already got two goals to her name this tournament, but Blackstenius should have another one. She latches onto a wonderful through ball from deep, but she can't keep her effort down.

64’ - GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 Sweden. The hosts have one foot in the semi-final now! It's a classic counter-attacking goal: Martens releases Van de Sanden down the channel. She fizzes a pass across the face of goal to leave Miedema with a simple tap-in. It's her first goal of the competition!

72' - SO CLOSE! Miedema is inches away from sealing her double! She times her run perfectly to latch onto a loose ball inside the Sweden penalty area, but her side-footed effort slides agonisingly wide of the post.

80' - SWEDEN GOAL RULED OUT! Blackstenius beats the onrushing Netherlands goalkeeper Van Veenendaal to the ball and it trickles towards the line. Schelin bundles the ball over as Sweden appear to have got one back. However, the linesman raises his flag for offside and it won't count.