Soccer-Martens sends Netherlands through to maiden quarter-finals

Reuters

RENNES, France, June 25 (Reuters) - The Netherlands reached the women's World Cup quarter-finals for the first time when Lieke Martens's last-gasp penalty earned them a 2-1 victory against Japan on Tuesday.

Martens put the Dutch in front after 17 minutes, only for Yui Hasegawa to level on the stroke of halftime, but the forward sent the European champions through with a spot kick in the last minute.

Japan, who hit the woodwork twice, dominated the second half but lacked a finishing touch.

The Netherlands, taking part in only their second women's World Cup, will play Italy in Valenciennes on Saturday after the Azzurre beat China 2-0 earlier on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)