DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 01: Lieke Martens of Netherlands celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Vietnam and Netherlands at Dunedin Stadium on August 01, 2023 in Dunedin / Ōtepoti, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

FIFA WWC Match Day 13 - Huge wins amongst unnerving moments

Keep up to date with Edge of the Crowd's coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as an action-packed Day 13 saw a the groups take shape amongst huge wins and unnerving moments. How did it all unfold? Read on to find out.

Catch up with everything that happened on Day 12 right here:

Vietnam v Netherlands

It was pure and unequivocal dominance from the Netherlands from the opening kick-off. The 2019 runners-up put four past the debutants inside the first 23 minutes of play and had five to their name (from five different players) when the half-time whistle sounded.

The assault from the Netherlands was able to be slowed by Vietnam after the break. The damage had been done already however, though the Dutch side found two more to enter seventh heaven - and claim the tournament's largest victory so far - in a mesmerising display.

The Netherlands had a whopping 42 shots on goal, 17 of which were on target. Vietnam elected to replace starting goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh at half-time, who, while letting in five goals, also made some impressive saves.

Vietnam ends a debut Women's World Cup campaign with three losses, finding it difficult to score a singular goal, while at the same time, letting 12 go through. For the Netherlands, a meeting with the runner-up from Group G awaits in the Round of 16.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jill Roord (NED). The midfield marshall of the Netherlands side, Roord was everywhere her team needed her on the pitch. As well as scoring twice, Roord had 13 attempts on goal as her passing and playmaking was unmatched in a complete team-dominant outing.

Portugal v USA

Both Portugal and the USA were on a mission to finish with a result they needed, and there was a real threat the defending World Champions could've seen an early exit. It was a tense encounter where the USA was routinely pressed by a Portugal side looking for an upset - and a Round of 16 berth at a maiden Women's World Cup.

The situation got the better of many on the pitch, with the aggression to win the ball showing for both sides, highlighted by the many fouls and total of six yellow cards presented by the referee. Rose Lavelle was one player to receive a yellow card, which was her second of the group stage, meaning the USA will be without her services for the next fixture.

Portugal came to play in the final 10 minutes of the game, creating more than a few half-chances as the side rattled an unconvincing USA defence. A close chance came two minutes into second-half stoppage time when Ana Capeta beat Alyssa Naeher, only for the ball to smash into the bottom right of the goal post.

In the end, the USA kept the dream of a three-peat alive with a gutsy draw that was enough to finish second in the group and set up a Round of 16 meeting with the winner of Group G. For Portugal, the highest-ranked debut nation, falling one point out of qualifying for the knockout stage will be a win for the side.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ines Pereira (POR). Though Portugal wouldn't go through, Pereira still had make her mark and stand tall against a USA attack. While the USA wasn't as powerful as could be, the Portugal goalkeeper still needed to prevent a flurry of goalscoring opportunities, especially at close range as opposition attackers entered the box, to keep a clean sheet against the defending champions.

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China v England

England scored three goals either side of half-time to contribute to the nation's equal-best result at a Women's World Cup, as China had no answers to an opponent who was allowed to run riot and create chances from anywhere in the attacking third.

Alessia Russo got the first goal inside four minutes, as the Three Lionesses - while needing to cater for the loss of Kiera Walsh in the middle - still played for each other and it showed. On the other side of the coin, the English players backed themselves too, highlighted by a fair few strikes from outside of the box.

China looked lost and took too long to pass or shoot, and England, who has plenty of experience, wasted no time and kept the pressure up in the middle third and wasted no time in pressing forward.

If she hadn't already, Lauren James has now announced herself on the world stage. The 21-year-old at her first Women's World Cup got the start again and repayed the faith in Bev Priestman's selection, netting two goals and setting up teammates. The manner in which her goals were scored was magnificent.

Finishing third in the group means China hasn't made it out of the group stage for the first time since the tournament began, while England top the group with the maximum number of points and will play Nigeria in the Round of 16.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lauren James (ENG). The young star got her second consecutive start and made the most of it before being substituted in the second half. James scored twice (and had another disallowed after VAR intervention), with each hit coming sweetly off the boot and displaying the talent she has, while also assisting a further three goals for England during the contest.

Haiti v Denmark

It was a scrappy affair in Perth, Denmark edged past a Haiti side by scoring either side of the half-time whistle. In a closely-fought contest where Denmark was the more dominant of the two teams, Haiti held its own at the same time.

Danish captain Pernilee Harder scored the first goal of the game, putting a penalty kick past Kerly Théus - which was the 100th goal of this year's tournament. Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen scored Denmark's second goal of the game deep into extra time.

Denmark's win ensures the side qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time since 1995 and has set up a meeting with co-hosts Australia, while debuting nation Haiti depart the tournament without a goal and without a point, but surely made plenty of new fans along the way.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Pernille Harden (DEN). The Danish captain scored the first goal of the game, and could've had two had VAR not intervened on a Harder header and adjuded teammate Signe Bruun had fouled the goalkeeper in the lead-up. She worked hard all game to get her side over the line and into the Round of 16.

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