Netherlands to meet Switzerland in Women's World Cup qualifying play-off final
Dutch defeated Denmark 4-1 over two legs
Switzerland edged Belgium on away goals after 3-3 aggregate draw
The Netherlands and Switzerland will face off in next month's FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ UEFA zone play-off final after both sides navigated their two-legged semi-finals against Denmark and Belgium respectively.
The Dutch reached the play-off final after a hard-fought 4-1 aggregate victory. With the Netherlands leading 2-0 from the opening leg, the Danes struck in the opening five minutes to send shockwaves through the Oranje Leeuwinnen ranks - Nadia Nadim converting a spot kick after Dominique Janssen had fouled Pernille Harder.
However, Sarina Wiegman's side hit back immediately, Lineth Beerensteyn hitting a crucial away goal less than two minutes later - adding to her goal in the first leg - which meant the hosts would have to score three more times in Viborg to progress.
With that heady task, the waves of Danish pressure in the second half were ultimately in vain, as Beerensteyn scored again in stoppage time to earn victory on the night, and rubberstamp the aggregate win.
Awaiting the Dutch will be Switzerland who defeated Belgium on away goals in Biel.
With the tie finely poised at 2-2 after the opening leg in Louvain, it was the Swiss who took the front. Geraldine Reuteler struck midway through the first half to put the hosts in a commanding position.
Belgium pulled one back in the second half through Tine De Caigny to bring the score level on the night, and on aggregate, but the two away goals that the Swiss scored in the first leg were enough to see Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side through.
The Netherlands and Switzerland will contest the final play-off over two legs to determine the eighth and final European qualifier for France 2019. Matches will take place from 5-13 November.
The results
05/10/18: Netherlands 2-0 Denmark (Beerensteyn 21', Van de Sanden 42') 9/10/18: Denmark 1-2 Netherlands (Nadim 5' pen; Beerensteyn 7', 90+2')
Netherlands progress 4-1 winners on aggregate
05/10/18: Belgium 2-2 Switzerland (Cayman 5', De Neve 60'; Lehmann 55', 87') 9/10/18: Switzerland 1-1 Belgium (Reuteler 23'; De Caigny 77')
Switzerland progress on away goals after 3-3 aggregate draw