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Golazo Makes Vivianne Miedema Netherlands’ All-Time Top Scorer At 22 Years Old

By Travis Yoesting June 15, 2019
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Miedema had two great strikes to sink Cameroon and send the Dutch into the Round of 16.
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Vivianne Miedema is 22. She’s now the Netherlands’ all-time leading goal scorer.

Miedema netted a brace in a 3-1 victory over Cameroon in Group E action at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. She now has 60 goals for the Leeuwinnen, passing Manon Melis for most all-time for the Dutch. 

More importantly, for the short term at least, the Netherlands clinched qualification to the Round of 16 by moving to six points ahead of its Group E finale against Canada.

Cameroon played the Netherlands tough for a half, matching the Dutch physicality with some heady play of its own. The Indomitable Lionesses equalized moments after the Netherlands took its first lead in the first half, but ran out of gas in the second as Miedema and the defending European champions showed their class. 

Miedema, an Arsenal striker, opened the scoring in the 41st minute after some brilliant wing play from Shanice van de Sanden. The Lyon winger played a quick one-two before sending in a perfect cross (without looking) toward the head of Miedema, who couldn’t help but score.

Cameroon came right back at the Dutch and equalized through Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene two minutes later. Onguene timed her run perfectly and took advantage of some great backspin on the pass to fool Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal, heading the ball past her and finishing with aplomb.

After keeping up with the Netherlands for a half, the Cameroon players looked gassed at halftime.

That fatigue showed with a mental lapse three minutes into the second half.

Cameroon completely ignored a late run down the flank on a set piece and then failed to clear as the amazingly named Dominique Bloodworth finished on her second effort for what would be the match winner.

Cameroon stuck around and made the Netherlands work for the three points, but the match was put away by Miedema in the 85th minute.

While her first goal was down to a great ball from van de Sanden, Miedema’s second was all about her own ability, taking the ball into the box and ripping a shot past keeper Annette Ngo Ndom. 

With that, the Netherlands sewed up three more points to top Group E, at least until Canada plays New Zealand later on Saturday. And Miedema set the Dutch record for most all-time goals at the young age of 22. 

Miedema has 60 goals in just 76 appearances to pass Melis, who scored 59 in 136. In third place is Barcelona star Lieke Martens with 42 goals in 103 matches. 

The match was one of the most physical yet, especially in the first half. Despite this, we still have not seen a red card at the Women’s World Cup yet. 

That said, Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck probably came closer than anyone to being sent off with this clumsy challenge as her boot was way too high on her follow through. She only received yellow.

Cameroon closes out Group E against New Zealand on Thursday, but still has a chance to advance despite two losses to open the tournament.

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