DUNEDIN, New Zealand, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands won the Group E at the Women's World Cup here on Tuesday, as they put on a goal fest by hammering Vietnam 7-0, the biggest win of the tournament so far.
Vietnam had bowed out after back-to-back defeats while the Netherlands ranked second to the U.S. before Tuesday due to an inferior goal-difference. The Netherlands needed to equal or better third-placed Portugal's result against the U.S. in the other group match in order to reach the knockout stage for a third consecutive tournament.
The Netherlands started their show in the 8th minute when a long ball found Lieke Martens to chip it over goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.
Three minutes later, the Netherlands doubled the lead as Danielle Van De Donk's smart pass allowed Katja Snoeijs to apply a clinical finish.
Esmee Brugts added the third with a stunner in the 18th minute as she hit a curler that nestled into the far top corner, five minutes before Jill Roord bagged her second goal of the tournament on Dominique Janssen's assist.
On the stroke of the half-time, Brugts rolled across from the left, Tran denied Roord's first attempt, but could do nothing to Van De Donk's follow-up.
The Netherlands wreaked havoc after the break, as Brugts replicated her first-goal in the 57th minute by unleashing another blockbuster.
It was not finished yet, a long pass was nodded by Stefanie Van Der Gragt for Roord to make it 7-0 from a close range.
With the win, the Netherlands tops the group with 7 points, edging the U.S. to second after the defending champion played out a goalless tie with Portugal. ■
