The Netherlands are well on their way to a second consecutive Women’s World Cup appearance after defeating Switzerland 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA playoff final. All three goals came after halftime.

A capacity crowd of 23,750 in Utrecht saw a match that belonged to the home side throughout, but no breakthrough came until Sherida SPITSE’s 49th minute free kick beat Swiss goalkeeper Gaëlle THALMANN. Later in the half, Lieke MARTENS and Vivianne MIEDEMA also scored.

The second leg will be played in Schaffhausen, Switzerland on Tuesday. The Swiss will have the services of Ramona BACHMANN, who missed the first leg due to yellow card accumulation.