Eniola Aluko scored a memorable equaliser against Holland to earn England a draw in their final group match of the Cyprus Cup.
Head coach Mark Sampson had urged his side to maintain their 100% group record against Holland on Monday despite already booking their place in the final thanks to comfortable victories against Finland and Australia in their previous games.
Holland took the lead after 18 minutes through Anna Miedema who tapped in from close range after some nimble footwork from midfielder Danielle van de Donk.
The goal seemed to stir England to life and Jo Potter nearly put the three lions level with a 20-yard volley that was expertly saved by Loes Geurts.
Holland hit back and nearly stretched their lead in the 39th minute when Van de Donk was just centimetres off getting on the end of Lieke Marten’s brilliant cross.
But two minutes later, a wonderful solo goal by Eni Aluko levelled the scores.
Chelsea striker Aluko picked up the ball midway in the Dutch half and went on a dazzling run, beating four defenders, before curling the ball in from 10 yards. The strike was her 19th goal in her last 27 internationals.
Aluko came close again just after the hour mark but saw her shot deflected wide after some sterling defending from Stefanie van der Gragt.
A lack of goal mouth action in the second half meant Demi Stokes’s 79th-minute effort for England was the only real time either goalkeeper was called in to action, but with a place in the final already secured it wasn't a surprise the women in white didn’t over exert themselves chasing down a winner.
Wednesday’s final against Canada will kick-off at 4.30pm UK time - a game which Captain Stephanie Houghton will watch from the sidelines after a knee injury, sustained earlier in the competition against Australia, has ruled her out.
Source: DSG
