Groenen was named in the starting XI by head coach Sarina Wiegman and was at the heart of the action throughout a frantic match at the Miyagi Stadium.
The Netherlands had twice taken the lead through Arsenal’s Vivienne Miedema but were pegged back both times before Ludmila’s 68th-minute effort put Brazil in front for the first time in the match, at 3-2, entering the closing stages.
But Dominique Janssen’s impressive long-range free-kick ensured Jackie and co would take a point from their second Group F match.
It means that the Leeuwinnen need only a point from their final group fixture against China on Tuesday to confirm their qualification for the knockout stage, having convincingly swept aside Zambia 10-3 earlier in the week, in their opening game of the tournament.