USA Survive Women’s World Cup Scare After Portugal Hit Post in Injury Time
Reigning Women’s World Cup champions USA were inches away from crashing out of the tournament in the group stage but managed to sneak past Portugal by the skin of their teeth. Despite having more chances in the match, the holders – who are so used to cruising into the knockout stages – looked unusually nervy, particularly in a tense second half, and only had 44% possession.
Portugal Miss Out on Sensational Shock
In the first of eight minutes of added time in Auckland, a swift break forward saw Ana Capeta race through on goal and smash the foot of the post for Portugal – the width of the woodwork away from one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. The tournament debutants looked full of belief as the seconds ticked away while USA were rattled and ragged, but they just about clung on to progress to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group E.
USA’s Finishing and Composure Evades Them
Speaking on ITV Sport, Arsenal legend Kim Little said of the match: ‘It’s unusual for USA to be in that position and credit to Portugal for their performance today. I think the second half was maybe not as strong as the first, they tired a little bit and struggled when [Francisca] Nazareth went off. But they got the chance there at the end and it was millimetres away.’
Alex Morgan had a host of chances to score, and on another night might have bagged a hat-trick with one effort even cleared off the line, but the USA’s finishing and composure seems to have evaded them in Australia and New Zealand so far.
USA Look Ahead to Knockout Stages
‘They’re just not flowing, they’re just not connecting with each other, continued Little. ‘I think Megan Rapinoe did make a slight difference when she came on, but the substitutes that were made didn’t have that big an impact on the team. Maybe she should have gone across goal, maybe it would have given her a better chance of going in, but I think they can be proud of their first World Cup.’
Elsewhere in the group, the Netherlands secured a thumping 7-0 win over Vietnam to top the group and progress as winners – with Italy their likeliest opponents, though South Africa and Argentina could also progress – while the USA will likely face Sweden, who won their opening two matches.
Conclusion
USA survived a huge scare against Portugal in their final group game, with Ana Capeta’s late effort hitting the post. The holders looked unusually nervy throughout and lacked their usual composure and finishing, but managed to cling on to progress to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group E. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.