Cascarino shines in France's big win to eliminate Netherlands, top tough group
France's third straight win ensured they won Group D, ahead of England.
The French would have been eliminated by a three-goal loss and, when the Netherlands led 2-1 at one stage, rued a bad miss by Cascarino shooting over an unguarded goal.
But the San Diego Wave winger responded with a devastating burst of running and shooting to settle the game.
Cascarino said she had been 'really frustrated in the first half because I barely touched the ball. So I was determined to do much better in the second half.'
First, Cascarino stole the ball from the Dutch at halfway and ran directly at the defense to set up Marie-Antoinette Katoto for a neat finish in the 61st.
Cascarino was even better three minutes later, taking a high ball 50 meters (yards) from goal and dribbling directly at goal to unleash a rising shot from outside the penalty area.
In the 67th, Cascarino scored with a well-placed shot when the ball came to her after Katoto's shot struck the inside of both posts. Sakina Karchaoui added a penalty in stoppage time.
Describing Cascarino as a star, France coach Laurent Bonadei said: 'At some point you have to light the fire so she can show her full potential.'
A nervous evening became a coronation for France as the top team in the toughest group at Euro 2025. France returns to Basel to face Germany on Saturday, with the winner on a path to play Spain in the semi-finals. Spain plays host nation Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Friday in Bern.
Associated Press
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