AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The two-time reigning champion United States got here an inch wanting Women’s World Cup elimination, however Portugal’s late near-miss helped the Americans keep away from the largest upset in event historical past.
The Americans slipped by means of to the knockout spherical Tuesday regardless of a listless, uninspiring 0-0 draw towards Portugal. The U.S. gained just one recreation in group play for the primary time in event historical past, and scored simply 4 objectives over three video games.
In a hold-your-breath second, the Americans got here an inch away from elimination when Ana Capeta practically scored in stoppage for Portugal. Her shot hit the left publish and the Americans preserved the draw.
The tie was simply sufficient to make sure the Americans superior to the knockout spherical. The U.S. seemed shaky at finest in a recreation they had been had been anticipated to win.
“It’s not the result we wanted, but we move forward,” ahead Alex Morgan mentioned.
The Americans, probably the most profitable workforce ever on the World Cup with 4 titles, have by no means been eradicated within the group stage on the World Cup.
The path for the Americans additionally hinged on the outcomes of the Netherlands match towards Vietnam, performed concurrently in Dunedin. With a decisive 7-0 victory, the Netherlands bumped the United States from the highest of Group E.
The Americans transfer on because the second seed as Portugal, enjoying in its first World Cup, heads house. The Portuguese sobbed on the sphere after the ultimate whistle after having come so near upsetting the mighty Americans.
Lynn Williams had an opportunity on a header within the 14th minute however Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira smothered it. While the U.S. managed possession and had the higher possibilities, the workforce couldn’t end and the sport was scoreless on the break.
Rose Lavelle picked up a yellow card within the thirty eighth minute, her second of the group stage, and he or she gained’t be out there for the workforce’s spherical of 16 match.
The frustration of the U.S. followers at Eden Park was evident on the break, when there have been scattered boos among the many crowd because the groups headed for the tunnel. Early within the second half, a hearth alarm went off within the stadium. It turned out to be a malfunctioning sprinkler.
The United States had a free kick from a harmful spot within the 57th minute, however Morgan’s header popped up nicely over the objective. She put her fingers to her face in exasperation.
“I think we just need a little bit of ruthlessness in front of the net,” Lavelle mentioned. “I think we’re getting the chances, but it’s that final bit of ruthlessness of just putting it away.”
Megan Rapinoe got here in as a sub within the 61st minute, however the Golden Boot winner on the 2019 World Cup couldn’t discover that elusive objective.
U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski tweaked his beginning lineup for the match and began ahead Williams and midfielder Lavelle for the primary time at this World Cup. He had began Trinity Rodman at ahead and Savannah DeMelo within the midfield for the workforce’s first two video games.
Lavelle boosted the workforce when she got here in at halftime towards the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington when a lackluster opening half despatched the Americans into the break down 1-0 to the Dutch. Lavell’s nook to Lindsey Horan gave the Americans a 1-1 draw within the match.
But the vitality simply wasn’t there towards Portugal and the Americans appeared misplaced and unorganized for a lot of the match. In a post-game huddle, defender Kelley O’Hara, one of many veterans, appeared offended as she shouted at her teammates.
“I just told the team ‘Listen, we did what we had to do, we’re moving on, the group stage is done, this is over, it’s in the rearview, we have our next game in front of us and that’s the only one that matters,’” O’Hara mentioned. “Maybe we didn’t do it the way we wanted to, or planned on doing it, but we’re advancing and this is the World Cup and that’s all that matters.”
The United States final misplaced within the group stage to Sweden on the 2011 World Cup, however the Americans nonetheless superior to the ultimate match earlier than dropping on penalties to champion Japan.
The Americans haven’t wanted the third and ultimate group-stage match to be taught their event destiny since 2007, when there was solely a slim probability for elimination. A loss to Portugal on Tuesday would have ended the Americans’ event.
Going into the match towards Portugal, the United States sat atop Group E, even on factors with the Netherlands however holding an edge on objective differential.
The United States had gained all the earlier 10 matches towards Portugal. The Portuguese have by no means scored towards the Americans.
With its decisive victory over Vietnam, the Netherlands heads to Sydney to face the second-place workforce from Group G, which incorporates Sweden, South Africa, Italy and Argentina. The United States performs the group’s prime workforce.
“They made it frustrating for us, and yeah, I think we’re disappointed with ourselves. But we made it through, so we’ve got to put our energy toward that,” Lavelle mentioned
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