Fifa Women’s World Cup: holders US survive major scare before draw with Portugal sends them into knockout round
- Ana Capeta strikes a post for Portugal in stoppage time before the Americans progress in second place in their group
- The Netherlands, who dominate Vietnam in a 7-0 victory, also reach knockout stage
Holders the United States survived a huge scare to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw against Portugal, who failed to claim a sensational win at Eden Park that would have taken them through instead.
The US struggled to impose themselves against opponents ranked 21st in the world and appearing at their first World Cup, and Portugal almost won the game in injury time when substitute Ana Capeta hit the post. Holding on for the draw means Vlatko Andonovski’s side finish in second place in Group E.
“It’s not the result we wanted, but we move forward,” US forward Alex Morgan said.
With the Netherlands through as group winners after demolishing Vietnam 7-0, pre-tournament favourites the USA face a last-16 tie on Sunday against the winners of Group G, in all likelihood Olympic silver medallists Sweden.
Nothing about their performance in front of almost 41,000 fans in Auckland, or in their two previous matches, suggests the United States will have an easy ride.