Former USWNT superstar Sydney Leroux fired back at Dutch striker Lineth Beerensteyn after the Netherlands women's national football team were eliminated from the Women's World Cup on Friday.
Prior to her side's Women's World Cup quarter-final against Spain, Beerensteyn revealed her elation that the USA had been knocked out of the tournament at the last-16 stage by Sweden on Sunday.
Beerensteyn's Comments About The USNWT
"From the first moment I heard they were out I was just like ‘Yes! Bye!” Beerensteyn said on Thursday.
"From the start of the tournament, they had really big mouths and were already talking about the final.
"I was thinking you first have to show it on the pitch before you talk (big). I’m not being rude in that way, I still have a lot of respect for them, but now they’re out of the tournament, and for me, it’s a relief, and for them, it’s something they will have to take with them in the future.
"Don’t start to talk about something that is far away. I hope they will learn from that."
Beerensteyn was part of the Netherlands women's national football team which lost the 2019 Women's World Cup final to the USWNT. The two nations also drew 1-1 in the group stage of this year's World Cup.
Referee Stephanie Frappart, Lineth Beerensteyn, Desiree Van Lunteren, Megan Rapinoe during FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 Final match USA vs Netherlands on 7 July 2019 Groupama Stadium Lyon France Picture credit: Editorial credit: Romain Biard / Shutterstock.com
The Netherlands were knocked out of the tournament on Thursday following a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Spain. The Spanish had taken the lead in the 81st minute through a Mariona Caldentey penalty but the Dutch equalised 10 minutes later via Stefanie Van der Gragt. Substitute Salma Paralluelo scored the winner for Spain in the 111th minute.
USWNT Legend Hits Back At Beerensteyn Following Netherland's Defeat
Following the game, Leroux tweeted that "One thing we’ve learned is wait to talk shit until after you’re on the podium with a gold medal because now… you’re bye too."
One thing we’ve learned is wait to talk shit until after you’re on the podium with a gold medal because now… you’re bye too.
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) August 11, 2023
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