Netherlands’ star Lineth Beerensteyn slams USWNT over ‘arrogance’ before 2023 FIFA World Cup, says they had a ‘really big mouth’

Beerensteyn was happy that the defending champions paid for their arrogance.

Netherlands’ star Lineth Beerensteyn slams USWNT over ‘arrogance’ before 2023 FIFA World Cup, says they had a ‘really big mouth’

Megan Rapinoe and Lineth Beerensteyn . (Credit: Getty)

Lineth Beerensteyn, Netherlands women’s team forward, expressed her happiness upon learning that the USWNT had been eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The defending champions who were in the hunt for a third consecutive title, came into the tournament with very high confidence. Chiefly, they were the team to beat. Plus, the most likely candidate to take the trophy home yet again. They were overconfident and almost knew that they would win the whole thing.

This is why they have come under severe criticism after getting sent home by Sweden. They had a largely underperforming side in the whole tournament. They almost got sent home by Portugal in the group stages when a shot hit the bar post at the last minute. Had they scored, they would have won the game, knocking out the US in the process. But it was not to be as the USWNT salvaged a draw to go into the next round and face Sweden.

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Ironically, that game might have been their best performance in the tournament. However, they were unable to finish them. Thus, it went to penalty shootouts. Sweden missed the third penalty which gave the US the chance to take the lead. But Megan Rapinoe skied it. This was the start of a disaster as they ended up losing 5-4 in the shootout.

The favourites were sent home prompting disbelief and celebrations. Consequently, many called out their arrogance while entering the tournament. They believed that they had already won it even before playing a single game. This is what Lineth Beerenstyen underlined.

What did Lineth Beerensteyn say?

During the pre-match interview, ahead of Netherlands’ quarter-final match against Spain, Lineth Beerensteyn called out the arrogance of the US team. She said she was delighted with their exit.

The first moment when I heard that they were out, I was just thinking: ‘Yes! Bye!’ Because from the start of this tournament, they had already a really big mouth – they were talking already about the final and stuff. I was just thinking: ‘You first have to show it on the pitch before you are talking.'
Lineth Beerensteyn
Lineth Beerensteyn
Lineth Beerensteyn (Credit: Getty)

She admitted that she still held respect for them. But their arrogance played a part in their exit. Beerensteyn also added that they should not have thought about something which is far away. But she said she hopes they can learn from this. The USWNT might now have to go through a rebuilding phase due to their early exit from the competition.

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