South Africa has had a historic run, making it to the knockout stage for the first time in their country's history in the Women's World Cup.
Unfortunately, the old saying comes and goes: "All good things must come to an end."
Jill Roord's fourth goal of the tournament at the 9th minute stood as the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Banyana Banyana. She used a header to score after the initial save by South Africa netminder Kaylin Swart off the head ball from Victoria Pelova following a corner kick from Daniëlle van de Donk.
The goal made Roord the all-time leader in Dutch history in goals in the Women's World Cup, with five.
The noon kickoff time in Sydney, early in the night in the USA, was originally intended for the United States, but after the Netherlands blew the doors out of Vietman 7-0 to win Group E, the Americans were off to Melbourne to face Sweden later on the day.
Both the Netherlands and South Africa were essentially evenly matched, and the game was closer than the final score indicated. The Dutch had 14 shots, six on target, to South Africa's 13, seven on target.
But Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was equal to what was fired at her way by Banyana Banyana, as she stopped all seven shots on goal. She stopped a racing Thembi Kgatlana at the 12th minute as the ball went off her fingertips and above the bar.
Van Domselaar denied her again 22 minutes afterwards after a Netherlands giveaway led to a chance for Banyana Banyana, diving right as Kgatlana was cutting in from the left side of the box.
The Dutch netminder turned her away twice more at the last minute of regular time in the first half, though that was the closest that South Africa was to scoring in the first half, as Kgatlana was denied in tight twice.
Add two more saves at the 4th minute of stoppage time in the first half, the first from an angle from yet another Kgatlana shot and the second one from distance by Wendy Shongwe, who took the place of the injured Jermaine Seoponsewe, subbing in 19 minutes earlier alongside Tiisetso Makhubela, another injury replacement, as she came in for Bambanani Mbane.
She shone once more in the second half in the 72nd minute. South Africa has done their part generating quality chances, but another full extension save kept Banyana Banyana off the scoresheet on a give-and-go shot by Linda Botlhalo off the feed from Kholosa Biyana.
The Oranje Leeuwinnen sealed the deal as Lineth Beerensteyn got daylight on a fast break after a feed from Lieke Martens at the 68th minute. Swart misplayed the ball on the shot, as it slipped by her hands, and the error proved costly.
There were other great opportunities for the taking, such as Beerensteyn nearly getting a brace 11 minutes after her goal, but she was ruled offside, going way ahead of the defenders.
They also came close to scoring 12 minutes before the second goal, but Martens was ruled offside after a VAR check, with Martens seemingly getting them up 2-0 back then.
Their second goal could have come as early as the 28th minute, with van de Donk closing in on a chance inside the box, but that was stopped by Swart.
It was an impressive run for 54th ranked South Africa, and they were always a threat in breaking through by way of rising star Kgatlana.
But now, the Netherlands will move on to face Spain at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, on August 11th, where they will be without van de Donk after she picked up her second yellow card for a hard tackle on Karabo Dhlamini at the 67th minute, leading to an automatic one-game suspension.
The Dutch and Spanish face off at 9:00 PM EDT on August 10th. The game will be televised on FOX for American viewers, TSN for Canadian viewers, and Televisa for Mexican viewers.
Scoring
Netherlands, 9': Jill Roord [4], header from very close range to bottom left corner following a corner. 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands, 68': Lineth Beerensteyn [1], left foot shot from outside the box to center of the goal, assisted by Lieke Martens [2] following a fast break. 2-0 Netherlands
Substitutions
South Africa, 30': Wendy Shongwe replaces Jermaine Seoponsenwe because of an injury.
South Africa, 30': Tiiseto Makhubela replaces Bambanani Mbane because of an injury.
Netherlands, 75': Damaris Egurrola replaces Daniëlle van de Donk.
Netherlands, 88': Kerstin Casparij replaces Esmee Brugts.
Netherlands, 89': Lynn Wilms replaces Victoria Pelova.
South Africa, 90'+2': Melinda Kgadiete replaces Linda Mothalo.
South Africa, 90'+2': Noxolo Cesane replaces Hildah Magaia.
Netherlands, 90'+3': Katja Snoeijs replaces Jill Roord.
Netherlands, 90'+3': Jill Baijings replaces Lieke Martens.
Disciplinary
Netherlands, 67': Daniëlle van de Donk is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Team Stats
Possession: Netherlands 70% advantage
Shots: Netherlands 14, South Africa 13
On Target: Netherlands 6, South Africa 7
Fouls: Netherlands 9, South Africa 12
Yellow Cards: Netherlands 1, South Africa 0
Red Cards: Netherlands 0, South Africa 0
Offsides: Netherlands 3, South Africa 0
Corner Kicks: Netherlands 6, South Africa 5
Saves: Netherlands 7, South Africa 4
Miscellaneous
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium (Allianz Stadium)
Location: Sydney, Australia
Attendance: 40,233 (Capacity: 42,500)
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
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