Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women’s World Cup.

With a clinical finish from the edge of the box, new Manchester City signing Jill Roord put the Dutch on course for a famous victory.

After winning 13 games in three tournaments, the Stars and Stripes struggled to break down a resolute Dutch defence until Horan equalized with a header from a corner.

As in the 2019 final, Savannah DeMelo fired wide when the game was goalless while Trinity Rodman forced Daphne van Domselaar into a fingertip save after the Dutch took the lead.

After Julie Ertz’ header was deflected behind before Horan equalized, it seemed like it was going to be a bitterly frustrating day for the USA.

Despite trailing the Netherlands on goal difference, the United States tops Group E with four points from two games.

According to Netherlands coach Andries Jonker, the team performed brilliantly. It’s okay to be satisfied with a 1-1 draw.

Women’s football has evolved tremendously in the past few years. These games are battles from the very first second until the very last.

We’re there, along with the US, and I’m very happy with that.”

Portugal will play the USA at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday (08:00 BST), while the Netherlands play Vietnam in Dunedin.

Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women’s World Cup.

After an entertaining match in front of 27,312 fans, both sets of fans applauded their teams off the pitch.

The streets of New Zealand’s capital city were awash with colour hours before the lunchtime kick-off.

There was a carnival atmosphere inside the fan park, with some fans dressed in stars and stripes from head to toe. In national costumes, others from the Netherlands arrived at the ground.

An inside supporter held up a sign that read “They’re not just women, they’re legends.”.

Throughout the day, helicopters buzzed above the city, adding to the sense of occasion, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken broke from official talks to cheer on the defending champions.

There was no disappointment in this game, billed as the biggest of 48 group games being played in Australia and New Zealand.

Despite 14 of their players playing in their first World Cup, the United States are strongly favored to win a fifth World Cup.

Until Horan’s equalizer, Andries Jonker’s side produced an impressive performance and looked set to send a powerful message.

For the Netherlands to qualify for this World Cup, they had to win their final qualifying game against Iceland in the 93rd minute.

In spite of being without influential forward Vivianne Miedema due to injury, the 2019 runners-up once again look like they could go far.