Netherlands beat Italy to qualify for its first Women's World Cup
VERONA, Italy -- The Netherlands beat Italy 2-1 Thursday as a brace from 18-year-old Vivianne Miedema helped the Dutch qualify for the women's World Cup for the first time.
Miedema had scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw in Holland in the first leg of the playoff, and she put the Dutch ahead in the tie in the ninth minute.
The Bayern Munich forward doubled her tally shortly before halftime as she collected Lieke Martens' through ball and ran past Roberta D'Adda before rounding onrushing Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.
Italy, which had not qualified for the World Cup since 1999, grabbed one back in the 53rd when Stephanie van der Gragt turned Sara Gama's cross into her own net.
Italy men's coach Antonio Conte and Italian football federation President Carlo Tavecchio were present.
