The Netherlands secured top spot in Group E at the Women’s World Cup, maintaining their 100% record with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Canada in Reims.

The Bayern Munich striker Lineth Beerensteyn grabbed the winner for the European champions 15 minutes from time after Christine Sinclair had scored in her fifth successive World Cup to quickly cancel out Anouk Dekker’s 54th-minute opener.

Cameroon score with last kick of game against New Zealand to reach last 16 Read more

Both sides went into the game knowing they had qualified for the last 16 after winning their opening two games against Cameroon and New Zealand, with the match settling who would top the group and finish runner-up.

The game started in controversial fashion as inside two minutes referee Stephanie Frappart awarded Canada a penalty when Janine Beckie was fouled on the edge of the area by Desiree Van Lunteren.

But as Sinclair lined up to take the spot-kick, a VAR review that took almost three minutes to reach a conclusion, led to Frappart awarding a free-kick three yards outside the area that Sinclair tamely struck into the wall.

Despite the Dutch dominating, Canada had the ball in the back of the net in the 22nd minute, only for Jordyn Huitema to be adjudged offside after slotting home underneath the advancing Sari Van Veenendaal.

It was the Netherlands who came closest to making the breakthrough in the first half, with Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema striking the base of a post with an angled shot on the turn, followed by Gunners team-mate Danielle Van de Donk’s stunning 16-yard bicycle kick landing on the roof of the net.

Nine minutes after the break Holland then deservedly took the lead, with Montpellier midfielder Dekker heading home an inswinging free-kick from Sherida Spitse from seven yards.

But just six minutes later Canada were on level terms, with Sinclair superbly turning home at the far post a teasing low ball into the six-yard box from Ashley Lawrence.

Quick guide Women's World Cup: Route to the final Show Hide England will face Cameroon in the last 16, with a potential quarter-final against Norway or Australia ahead. Hosts France and defending champions USA are on course to meet in the last eight and are on England's side of the draw. Germany are favourites to reach the final from the bottom half, but are joined by four other sides ranked in the world's top 10 – although Sweden face Canada and Netherlands play Japan in the last 16. Last 16 draw Norway v Australia Nice, 22 Jun

England v Cameroon Valenciennes, 23 Jun

France v Brazil Le Havre, 23 Jun

Spain v USA Reims, 24 Jun Italy v China Montpellier, 25 Jun

Netherlands v Japan Rennes, 25 Jun

Germany v Nigeria Grenoble, 22 Jun

Sweden v Canada Paris, 24 Jun

However, 15 minutes from time the Netherlands sealed the three points with Beerensteyn, on as a substitute five minutes earlier, starting and finishing an incisive move by sliding home a Van Lunteren cross from three yards.

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The Netherlands will now face 2015 runners-up Japan in Rennes next Tuesday, while Canada take on the winners of Group F, either Sweden or USA, in Paris on Monday.

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