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29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2019 SPORTS FOOTBALL THE Netherlands confirmed their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a game to spare as they beat Cameroon at the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes yesterday. Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema, 22, be- came the European champions' all-time top scorer as she registered her 59th and 60th international goals to eclipse Manon Melis' record in just her 77th cap. Miedema headed Sarina Wiegman's side ahead as she met Lyon winger Shan- ice van de Sanden's cross after 41 minutes, but Cameroon were level just 154 seconds later through Gabrielle Onguene. Roared on by more than 10,000 fans, the Dutch made amends swiftly after half-time as Cameroon's failure to clear a free-kick allowed Arsenal midfielder Dominique Bloodworth to convert. Miedema then ensured the victory, and qualification, as she cut inside from the left before unleashing a powerful shot beyond goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom with five minutes remaining. The Netherlands top Group E af- ter winning back-to back World Cup matches for the first time, before Cana- da's match against New Zealand in Gre- noble at 9pm. The Netherlands, ranked eighth in the world, needed an injury-time winner to edge their group opener against New Zealand and lacked a cutting edge de- spite dominating the play before Miede- ma's breakthrough. That goal had left WSL top scorer Miedema level with former striker Melis, who retired from international football in 2016 aged 29. In a first meeting between the sides, Cameroon offered stern resistance to frequent sparks of pace and trickery from Dutch wingers Lieke Martens and van de Sanden, and should have been ahead when Onguene dragged a close- range shot wide after 20 minutes. Onguene caught out onrushing Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal to level the scores, before paying tribute to the nation's former captain Ghislaine Be- bom who died last Sunday. Alain Djeumfa's Cameroon side, beaten by Canada in their opening match, must now hope to finish as one of the four best third-placed sides if they are to reach the knockout stages. Netherlands beat Cameroon to make it with last 16 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP Vivianne Miedema's two goals against Cameroon mean she is now the Netherlands' all-time top scorer ENGLAND boss Phil Neville told of his pride on an "emo- tional day" after a 1-0 win over Argentina sealed a place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup. Following the victory in Le Havre, Neville hugged tear- ful forward Fran Kirby, who played on the anniversary of her late mother's birthday. Goalkeeper Carly Telford made her major tournament debut less than a year after her mum died. "We shared their happiness and we shared their sadness." said Neville. The Lionesses beat Scotland 2-1 in their opening game and edged past Argentina 1-0 to reach the last 16. England face two-time final- ists Japan on Wednesday to determine who finishes top of Group D. Chelsea striker Kirby, who was 14 when her mother Den- ise died in 2008 after a brain haemorrhage, was consoled by Neville after the match and embraced by captain Steph Houghton. "We're a family. We were aware today that it was Fran's mother's birthday. It's been well documented, her love and her affection that she has for her mother and how much she misses her," said Neville. "Then Carly Telford lost her mother this year as well. Carly made her World Cup debut to- day after being in many, many a World Cup squad and many, many a European Champion- ship squad and never actually getting on the pitch. "I think in the huddle at the end, we made reference to the fact that we hope that their two mums were looking down on them and were very proud of their performances. I thought Fran was outstanding tonight. "We help each other. Today's been really an emotional day because Fran is a special person who misses her mum. So does Carly Telford." Telford, whose mother Yvonne died from cancer in July 2018, started her first World Cup match in the Ar- gentina game, having been in the squads for the 2007 and 2015 tournaments. "It was an amazing feeling and everything you dream of and I've waited a long time," the 31-year-old Chelsea goal- keeper said. "I would have waited longer but I've made my debut and got a clean sheet and it doesn't get any better than that. "Losing my mum was horri- ble, but she was with me eve- ry step of the way. I miss her loads... and I'm sure her and Fran's mum will be up there watching together." Amid the emotion, Neville said England's players are "hav- ing the time of their lives and so am I". "Four days ago I was criti- cal but I am so proud of every single one of them tonight," he told BBC Sport. Former Manchester United and Everton player Neville brought the players together in a huddle after both games but was clearly angry when speak- ing to his players following the win over Scotland. Against Argentina in Reims, England were frustrated by goalkeeper Vanina Correa who made a string of fine saves - including a Nikita Parris pen- alty in the first half - before Jodie Taylor struck from Beth Mead's cross on the hour mark. It means England have won both their opening games at a World Cup for the first time and progressed to the knock- out stage for the fifth consecu- tive time. England boss Phil Neville proud after emotional win over Argentina Kirby and Telford's mums would be proud - Phil Neville