WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Captain Lindsey Horan scored a second-half equalizer as reigning champion United States came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands at the Women's World Cup on Thursday in a rematch of the 2019 final.

Midfielder Jill Roord fired home a first-half opener to threaten a momentous result in the Group E clash in Wellington in front of a crowd of 27,312.

But Horan responded just after the hour as the Americans maintained their proud unbeaten record at the World Cup stretching back to the 2011 final, when they were beaten on penalties by Japan.

The stalemate leaves the two teams locked on four points and neither is yet assured of a berth in the knockout phase heading into their final group games on Tuesday, when the US face Portugal and the Dutch play Vietnam.

Horan's 62nd-minute equalizer from substitute Rose Lavelle's corner came moments after a flashpoint between US midfielder Horan and her Lyon teammate Danielle van de Donk.

"I respect her so much because that's how it should be, competitive at all times," Horan said.

"Once we got to that tackle, all I wanted to do was score. Heat of the moment, but Rose put in an absolute dime and I got on the end of it."

US coach Vlatko Andonovski described Horan's response to the altercation as a turning point.

"It's a really good example of the leader that she is. She gets fouled, kicked, hurt and obviously it's a very difficult moment," Andonovski said.

"And instead of crying about it, she just goes and makes a statement."

"It shows everyone the direction that the game is going to take."

The most highly anticipated game of the tournament group phase was vastly different to the decider four years ago in France, which the US won comfortably 2-0 to retain their title.

This time the Dutch had the better of the first half, finding chinks which were also evident in the United States' opening 3-0 win over minnows Vietnam.