The defending champion USA is miles away from the gala form of the 2019 World Cup, but the zero number against newcomer Portugal was at least enough to reach the round of 16 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
It was heavy fare that the US girls served to the 43,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday (08/01/2023). In the third group game, too, there was a lack of spice and sharpness. The courageous World Cup newcomers Portugal defied the big favorites to a remarkable 0:0 and even hit the post shortly before the final whistle. If this ball goes in, Portugal is through and the USA is out.
As it is, the defending champions get away with a black eye and the Portuguese are eliminated from Group E with three points. As group winners, the Netherlands advance to the knockout stages.
The Americans are threatened with a heavyweight in the “title hat-trick” mission as early as the round of 16. In view of the tired appearances in the preliminary round – 3-0 against Vietnam, 1-1 against the Netherlands and now the zero number against Portugal – it seems rather questionable whether the journey Down Under will last much longer.
Portugal – fresh and cheeky
The Portuguese head coach Francisco Neto, in office since 2014, reached into his bag of tricks even before kick-off and sent six fresh players onto the pitch compared to the 2-0 win over Vietnam. The highly talented Telma Encarnaco, goalscorer and assist provider, also stayed on the bench.
Instead, rested staff should stress the US girls – and they succeeded. After the first momentum of the favorites had petered out, the nimble Portuguese played happily and occupied the defending champion, who was tormented and lucky that Jessica Silva only got a return instead of a solid finish after a dream pass into the interface on the way to the goal got (16th).
Favorite without playful shine
The USA were impressed, however, seemed more nervous than expected and only embarrassed Portugal on high balls. Alex Morgan, usually cold as ice in front of the goal, maneuvered two crosses wide of the goal (3rd/7th), but was otherwise unsubscribed as the sole entertainer in the penalty area because Portugal defended diligently and technically adeptly put pinpricks. A long-range shot by 20-year-old Kika Nazareth, who is considered Portugal’s greatest talent, was just a few centimeters short (39′).
Overall, however, the USA hardly presented their challengers with any problems defensively, the game was too static and transparent for that. Crosses from the half-space seemed the only way, the champion of 2015 and 2019 owed a lot in terms of play and they were also unable to use their physical power against the little bustling World Cup newcomers.
US international Naomi Girma (left) and Portugal’s Jessica Pinto fight for the ball.
Alarm no wake up call
It got strange after the break when the siren in the stadium suddenly wailed for minutes. It quickly became clear: false alarm. The kick on the lawn was also faulty. The US girls should have sounded the alarm because the Netherlands were already leading 5-0 against Vietnam at halftime in the parallel game and it was clear that only a big win would be enough for first place in the group. 2011 was the only time that USA failed to win their group at a World Cup.
The Soccer Girls’ game remained shockingly harmless. Only Morgan showed off her skills from time to time, but she was decisively blocked from an acute angle (59′) and miserably thwarted a counterattack after quickly winning the ball (84′). The substitution of icon and hopeful Megan Rapinoe, who is leaving after the World Cup and only has a joker role, brought maximum mood in the stands, but nothing more.
Post! Lucky US girls
Portugal threw everything forward in the closing stages and Ana Capeta did indeed have victory and the Round of 16 within her reach: the post prevented the defending champions’ historic preliminary round exit and the miracle of Auckland. The advancement for the top favorites hung by a thread and came to a light end.
