Portugal celebrates with 2-0 victory over Vietnam

Portugal secured its first victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup, leaving Vietnam eliminated with a 2-0 win at Waikato Stadium.

Goals by Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth in the first half provided Portugal the critical edge in this Group E encounter.

Portugal's dominant performance started early on. Despite clear chances being missed by Jessica Silva and Nazareth within the first five minutes, Portugal's resolve held firm.

The breakthrough came at the 7-minute mark. A clever play down the right flank saw Lucia Alves set up Encarnacao, who made no mistake, scoring from close range and etching her name in history as Portugal's first Women's World Cup goal scorer.

The lead was consolidated in the 21st minute when Nazareth, making amends for her earlier miss, calmly slotted the ball past Vietnam's goalkeeper, Thi Kim Thanh Tran, thus doubling the Europeans' advantage.

Portugal's dominant performance continued into the second half. Both Silva and Nazareth were denied by Tran in separate instances, and Joana Marchao's shot narrowly missed the target, hitting the crossbar.

Despite these missed opportunities, Portugal's two-goal advantage held strong till the final whistle.

The victory leaves Portugal with a crucial final Group E match against the defending champions, the USA. A win in this fixture would ensure Portugal's progression to the last-16 stage.

In his post-match comments, Portugal coach Francisco Neto said, "It's not a precisely perfect night, as we could have scored more goals. But it's our first victory ever, the first goals ever, it was very offensive football from our part, so there were a lot of good things as well."

His focus is already on their upcoming match, "We have to celebrate [this victory] until training time, and then prepare to face the United States and do our best."

Portugal Women: Patricia Morais; Lucia Alves, Carole Costa, Joana Marchão, Ana Seica (Sílvia Rebelo 90); Andreia Jacinto (Ana Rute 90), Kika Nazareth (Ana Capeta 69), Tatiana Pinto; Ana Borges, Telma Encarnacao (Carolina Mendes 75), Jéssica Silva (Andreia Norton 69).
Subs not used: Rute Costa, Ines Pereira, Catarina Amado, Diana Gomes, Dolores Silva, Fatima Pinto, Diana Silva.
Booked: Ana Borges (86)..

Vietnam: Thi Kim Thanh Tran; Thi Loan Hoang, Thi Diem My Le, Thi Thu Thuong Luong (Thi Kieu Chuong 72), Thi Thu Thao Tran, Thi Thu Tran; Thi Van Duong (Thi Hai Linh Tran 65), Thi Bich Thuy Nguyen (Thi Van Su Ngan 64), Thi Thanh Nha Nguyen, Thi Thao Thai; Nhu Huynh (Hai Yen Pham 72).
Subs not used: Thi Hang Khong, Thi Kieu Oanh Dao, Thi My Anh Nguyen, Thi Thuy Nga Tran, Thi Thuy Trang Tran, Thi Tuyet Dung Nguyen, Thi Hoa Vu, Thi Thuy Hang Nguyen.
Booked: None.

Referee: Salima Mukansanga.
Attendance: 6,645