LYON, France, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions United States declined TO open scoring within 12 minutes for the first time in this Women's World Cup, held 0-0 of La Grande Final at break by the Netherlands here on Sunday.
The U.S., who started the game strongly to create a number of dangerous chances in the fist half, had previously scored in the first 12 minutes of every match in France 2019.
Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal, a 180cm tall girl playing for England's Arsenal WFC, made excellent saves to keep the European champions sheets clean.
Julie Ertz launched a 28-minute attempt with a right-footed volley from inside the box, but Van Veenendaal just managed to push it away.
The Arsenal goalie then made a double save in the 38th minute, standing tall and blocking attempts from Samantha Mewis and Alex Morgan to keep her side safe.
Three minutes later, Morgan whipped a left-footed effort towards the bottom-right corner of goal and only saw Van Veenendaal got down quickly to push it wide and behind.
The Netherlands did a great job in limiting the Americans' co-captain Megan Rapinoe, who turned to start from a hamstring injury, in the whole first 45 minutes.
They also had a couple of set-piece chances in the dying minutes of the first half but failed to find the back of the net. Enditem
