The United States women’s national team struggled to a 0-0 tie with Portugal on Tuesday in Auckland, New Zealand, to move to the knockout phase of the Women’s World Cup. However, the United States finished second in Group E to the Netherlands, who defeated Vietnam 7-0. The Dutch won twice in addition to the tie with the Americans, while the Americans won once and tied twice. The United States will face the victor of Group G, most likely Sweden, who is rated third in the world, on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. On Saturday in Sydney, Australia, the Netherlands will meet the Group G runner-up, possibly Italy (No. 16).
Ines Pereira made six stops for Portugal, including one in the 84th minute on an Alex Morgan shot from the centre of the box. Portugal had no shots on goal, although Ana Capeta’s shot in the first minute of second-half stoppage time hit the right post. The United States couldn’t shake the Portuguese (1-1-1, four points), who needed to win to advance. The only other occasion the United States did not win its group in nine World Cups was in 2011. The United States advances from the group stage following a 0-0 tie with Portugal.
The United States advances from the group stage following a 0-0 tie with Portugal. The United States and the Netherlands were equal for first place in Group E with four points each entering the day, but the Americans held the goal-differential tiebreaker. They will now be disappointed with a 3-0 triumph against Vietnam in the opening, followed by a 1-1 tie with the Netherlands. With a loss and the Dutch defeating Vietnam, the United States (1-0-2, five points) faced the potential of being eliminated in the group stage for the first time in nine World Cups. Capeta nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Women’s World Cup history in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
There were two changes for the U.S. lineup from the first two matches. Rose Lavelle started in the midfield for Savannah DeMelo, while Lynn Williams got the nod up top over Trinity Rodman.
Williams had all four shots on goal for the United States in the first half, including a blast from the top of the box shortly before halftime. Lavelle will miss the next match after receiving her second yellow card of the competition in the 39th minute. Vietnam 7, Netherlands 0 The Netherlands cruised through Vietnam in Dunedin, New Zealand, with five first-half goals to take first place in Group E. Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord each scored twice in the rout.
Lieke Martens scored in the eighth minute, and Katja Snoeijs extended the lead three minutes later. Goals by Brugts (18th minute) and Roord (23rd minute) put the game out of reach, and Danielle van de Donk added a fifth in the 45th minute. Brugts (57th) and Roord (83rd) completed the scoring in the second half. Vietnam finished its maiden Women’s World Cup campaign with three losses.
