The Netherlands started their World Cup journey with a 1-0 victory against Portugal. At first glance, the match seemed closely contested, but a closer analysis revealed that the winners had a deliberate strategy of absorbing pressure, maintaining possession, and constructing attacks.

Although Stefanie Van der Gragt secured the decisive goal and made crucial blocks and tackles, the true orchestrator of the game was Jackie Groenen. Operating as the sole pivot in the midfield, the PSG midfielder played a crucial role in the Oranje's 3-1-4-2 formation.

Throughout the match, Jackie played a vital role in neutralizing Portugal's offensive efforts, excelling with an impressive 5 out of 5 ground duels won in the first 20 minutes alone. Additionally, her passing accuracy was outstanding, boasting a 90% completion rate throughout the game. Although she didn't venture forward frequently, her presence was crucial as she was the link between the defense and the midfield, functioning as the primary connector in the team's first phase of play.

Whenever Jackie takes the field, her seamless adaptation to a system reminiscent of Total Football's foundations - characterized by fluidity and positional play - becomes evident. Today, Jackie showcased her versatility by not confining herself to the role of a pivot player alone. On few occasions, she switched positions with Daniëlle van de Donk, who assumed a deeper role as a deep-lying playmaker, while Jackie embraced the role of an advanced No.8 for certain phases before reverting to her pivot position.

Additionally, Jackie's tactical knowledge shone through as she readily assumed the right center back position whenever Janssen ventured forward into the midfield or found herself out of position. Recognizing the potential threat posed by Portugal's pace and their tendency to exploit open spaces, Jackie cleverly filled the void left by Janssen, effectively stopping Portugal's attempts to create an overload in that area.

In the modern game, players like Jackie Groenen are becoming increasingly rare, and her exceptional technical knowledge and vision sets her apart from the rest. She acts as the linchpin of the team, providing cohesion and synergy to any side, and her contribution is unparalleled in holding the team together.