Dutch beat Denmark to win women’s Euro title

London (Reuters): Vivianne Miedema scored twice as hosts Netherlands beat Denmark 4-2 to become only the fourth nation to win the women’s European Championship since its inception in 1984.

Underdogs Denmark took the lead through a Nadia Nadim penalty after just five minutes of the final, but the Dutch struck back quickly, Miedema slamming home Shanice van de Sanden’s superb squared pass.

The Danes stunned the world of women’s football when they ended Germany’s 22-year reign as European champions, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 in the quarter-final to crush German hopes of a seventh successive title.

Spurred on by that victory, they beat Austria on penalties to reach the final where they showed the hosts no respect in the opening exchanges, and when Sanne Troelsgaard was brought down in the box, Denmark’s Afghan-born striker Nadim confidently smashed the ball into the top corner.

It was the first time the Dutch had trailed in the tournament, but the setback was temporary.