This archive report was first published on 30 June 2019.
On June 30, 2019, the Netherlands made history by reaching the semi-finals of the women's World Cup for the first time in their history.
They achieved this feat by beating Italy 2-0 in Valenciennes, with fine headers from Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Graght in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams had complained about the scheduling of the match in the middle of the afternoon during a punishing early summer heatwave that is sweeping Europe.
However, it was the Dutch who responded best to the on-pitch humidity, with temperatures creeping over 30 degrees Celsius, completely dominating the second half in an impressive display.
The best chance of an error-strewn opening period fell to Italy's Valentina Bergamaschi, who found herself with enough time to bring down and finish Barbara Bonansea's flick on but instead poked a weak half-volley straight at Sari van Veenendaal.
