Netherlands 2-1 Canada: Beerensteyn seals win as Oranje finish top of Group E

Japan, the 2015 runners-up, is up next for Netherlands in the round of 16.

Lineth Beerensteyn of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring the second goal, which sealed the win for the Oranje.

Christine Sinclair scored at her fifth Women's World Cup but Canada finished second behind Netherlands in Group E after Lineth Beerensteyn scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win for the Oranje.

Netherlands' Anouk Dekker rose highest in the box to score the opener in Thursday's clash between two teams who had already qualified, with her side set to face 2015 runners-up Japan next thanks to its victory in Reims.

Kenneth Heiner-Moller's Canada hit back with an equaliser scored by captain Sinclair, but Beerensteyn arrived at the back post to score a 75th-minute winner for Netherlands.

Canada was awarded a penalty in the second minute when Desiree van Lunteren clipped Janine Beckie's heels, but, after consulting VAR, referee Stephanie Frappart decided the contact was outside the box and gave a free-kick instead.

READ | As it happened- Beerensteyn strikes as Netherlands finishes on top of Group E

Jordyn Huitema then fired home through Sari van Veenendaal's legs after running on to a Sophie Schmidt pass, but her strike was ruled out for offside.

Netherlands had been second best throughout the first half but they took the lead in the 54th minute.

Sherida Spitse delivered a free-kick from wide on the left wing and Dekker got in front of Kadeisha Buchanan to nod home a deft header.

Within six minutes Huitema combined with Ashley Lawrence to set up Sinclair for a close-range finish that sent her into the history books behind Brazil great Marta.

Netherlands claimed the points and top spot, however, as Van Lunteren raided down the right wing and delivered the perfect cross for Beerensteyn to convert the winner.