3 key battles that will determine the World Cup champion

Ahead of Sunday’s final between the United States, the reigning World Cup champion, and the Netherlands, we’re dissecting three individual battles that will prove decisive at the Stade de Lyon.

Ertz looks to shut down Van de Donk

Julie Ertz has been a one-woman wrecking ball throughout the World Cup, dominating the center of the pitch from what is, ostensibly, a defensive midfield position. The 27-year-old, comfortable both in central midfield and anchoring the backline when Jill Ellis decides to shift into a more conservative 5-4-1 formation late in matches, has been an absolute force.

In the semifinals against England, for example, Ertz erected a wall just inside the U.S. half, forcing the Lionesses to funnel their attacking play out wide.

Against the Dutch, the reigning European champions, she’ll face arguably her toughest individual test of the competition in the form of Arsenal playmaker Danielle van de Donk. The diminutive attacking midfielder, 27, often gets overshadowed by illustrious teammates Vivianne Miedema and Lieke Martens, but Van de Donk, who set up the Netherlands’ winning goal in the semifinals against Sweden, is the fulcrum of the attack for Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Can anyone get the better of Dunn?

Crystal Dunn has been a rock for the United States in the knockout stages of the World Cup. An attacker by trade, Ellis’ decision to use the former NWSL MVP in a defensive role has been a major point of contention among American supporters for some time.

It’s worked out just fine so far, though.

After some nervy moments in the group stage finale against Sweden, Dunn has been one of the United States’ best players in the remaining matches. France looked to attack her wing incessantly with dribbling whizz Kadidiatou Diani in the quarterfinals, expecting to find joy down the right side; England’s Lucy Bronze was tipped to dominate that flank in the semifinals, too.

Both were largely stymied by Dunn, who has quieted any suggestions that she wasn’t the correct choice for the left-back slot in the American XI.

In Lyon, she’ll be tasked with shutting down explosive Dutch wingers Shanice van de Sanden and Lineth Beerensteyn. The former has started five of the team’s six matches this summer in France, but has struggled mightily at times, often disappointing with her decision-making and passing in the final third. Beerensteyn got the nod against Sweden, with Van de Sanden coming off the bench in her stead.

Whichever winger Wiegman opts to start on Sunday, they’ll have a monumental task trying to outduel Dunn.

Physio teams versus the clock

This battle is arguably as important as anything that actually happens on the pitch.

Talismanic U.S. star Megan Rapinoe and midfield dynamo Rose Lavelle are both recovering from hamstring injuries; the veteran missed the semifinal win with the ailment, while Lavelle was forced off in the second half of the contest.

Both expect to be fit come the opening whistle of Sunday’s encounter – Rapinoe has stated multiple times she’ll be ready. Niggling muscle injuries have a way of persisting, though, and the quick turnaround in a tournament of this nature makes the prospect of either woman playing against the Dutch tenuous. Ellis has depth in abundance, so it may not matter at the end of the day, but the U.S. physio team will no doubt be working tirelessly to help both recover in time.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has its own injury worry to contend with. The aforementioned Martens has been hampered by a toe injury in the knockout stages; the 2017 FIFA Player of the Year was able to start the semifinal clash with the Swedes, but, clearly hobbled, came off at halftime.

If the Dutch have any hopes of pulling off the huge upset and capturing their first Women’s World Cup title, having Martens on the pitch is vital.