VALENCIENNES, France, June 29 -- The Netherlands took on a pair of second-half headers to eliminate Italy 2-0 for their first-ever semifinal appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup here on Saturday.

Vivianne Miedema headed the Oranjeleeuwinnen in front through a free kick. Moments later, Sherida Spitse assisted another header of Stefanie Van Der Gragt with a free kick.

"I didn't expect to be in the semifinals of this World Cup. We've been complaining that we're not playing the best football but in the end we're in the semis. We've done amazing and we can be really proud. We need to focus on the next game," said Player of the Match Miedema.

The Dutch side had no changes to line-up which started against Japan in the last round, while Aurora Galli replaced Cristiana Girelli for Italy.

Staying on track for respective maiden semifinal appearance at the quadrennial competition, both teams managed few concrete scoring chances in sun-baked Valenciennes, with Italy's best opportunity arriving in the 36th minute, but it was squandered by forward Valentina Giacinti who fired a shot wide.

The Netherlands were awarded a free kick outside the box six minutes later, but Spitse saw her low shot saved by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani.

They stepped up their offensive quality after the restart, with Danielle van de Donk rattling the crossbar in the 58th minute and Dominique Bloodworth heading wide the bounced ball. Spitse had a free-kick wide off the post four minutes later.

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