Women’s World Cup Report: Portugal 0 - 0 USA

Four-time Women’s World Cup champions USA edged through to the knockout stages following a nervy 0-0 draw with Portugal in Auckland on Tuesday.

It’s certainly surprising that USA, given they were one of the favourites to win this tournament, struggled to keep themselves in the competition, and bowed out of the group stages in second place.

Netherlands clinched a comfortable 7-0 win over Vietnam in the other fixture leaving them top of Group E, with Portugal going home in third and Vietnam leaving without any points gained.

Portugal head coach Francisco Neto made five changes to the team that claimed a 2-0 win over the Vietnamese last week, with a diamond formation being the chosen tactic for the debutants at this tournament.

Meanwhile, Vlatko Andonovski was keen not to lose the 19-game unbeaten World Cup streak his USA team possessed heading into this fixture, and it was all-out attack from the offset.

Skipper Alex Morgan had a couple of chances in the opening five minutes when her attempted header was cleared, which was shortly followed by a flick that was deflected inches wide.

Portugal, however, did not lose their composure and were quick to take over the attacking threat, leaving USA under pressure.

Jessica Silva had a good chance to net a low shot but went a little too quick before slotting it wide.

The Stars and Stripes then claimed back possession with Lynn Williams collecting the ball in the middle from a Morgan pass from the left. Ines Pereira made a fantastic save to block Williams’ attempt, before the ball bounced back to the US defender who then lifted it over the bar from five yards.

The frustration was starting to kick in for Andonovski’s side as midfielder Rose Lavelle picked up a booking for a late sliding challenge on Dolores Silva, which will force her to sit out the next fixture.

The current World Cup holders could only claim two shots on target in the opening half, whereas Netherlands were having a ruthless 45 minutes in Dunedin, notching five goals past Vietnam before the half-time whistle.

The second-half was a little more dominant from Portugal while USA appeared to have lost any real tempo, despite being at risk of leaving the tournament should Portugal have scored.

Morgan, again, had a half-chance when she weaved around Pereira in goal but her low shot at a tight angle was blocked, while Sophia Smith’s follow-up was blasted over the bar.

Andonovski brought in some fresh legs on the hour-mark in a bid to make the game flow a little more fluidly, including the introduction of experienced Megan Rapinoe in her last tournament before retirement.

It was Portugal, however, who looked the more dangerous, and any real chances at goal from the USA were either saved comfortably by Pereira or driven wide. An unusual sighting from the world’s number one team.

USA were evidently hanging on for dear life and everything almost changed in an instant during the eight minutes of additional time, when Portugal came dangerously close to grabbing a goal.

Ana Capeta, who had only just been substituted onto the field, collected a long cross before knocking it into space and hitting it low towards the edge of the area.

The ball beat Alyssa Naeher in goal and thumped off the post in what was a dramatic ending to the game. Neither team could do any more to break the deadlock.

USA look almost certain to be facing Sweden in the next round and should they progress, Japan or Norway will be their quarter-final opponents.

Portugal Women: Ines Pereira; Ana Borges, Carole Costa, Diana Gomes, Tatiana Pinto; Catarina Amado (Joana Marchão 89), Andreia Norton (Telma Encarnacao 81), Dolores Silva; Kika Nazareth (Andreia Jacinto 62), Jéssica Silva, Diana Silva (Ana Capeta 89).

Subs not used: Rute Costa, Patricia Morais, Lucia Alves, Sílvia Rebelo, Ana Seica, Fatima Pinto, Ana Rute, Carolina Mendes.

Booked: Carole Costa (56), Diana Gomes (72), Catarina Amado (86).

USA Women: Alyssa Naeher; Crystal Dunn (Kelley O'Hara 90), Julie Ertz, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma; Lindsey Horan (Emily Sonnett 84), Rose Lavelle, Andi Sullivan; Alex Morgan (Alyssa Thompson 90), Sophia Smith (Megan Rapinoe 61), Lynn Williams (Trinity Rodman 84).

Subs not used: Casey Murphy, Aubrey Kingsbury, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Kristie Mewis, Savannah Demelo, Ashley Sanchez.

Booked: Rose Lavelle (38), Sophia Smith (52), Naomi Girma (81).

Referee: Rebecca Welch (England)

Attendance: 40,958

extratime.com Player of the Match: Ines Pereira (Portugal)