(Auckland) The Americans came within centimeters of being eliminated in the preliminary phase of the Women’s Soccer World Cup.
Portugal’s Ana Capeta’s strike in late stoppage time, however, hit the post, allowing USA to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament with a 0-0 draw , Tuesday.
USA won just one game in the preliminary round for the first time in tournament history, scoring just four goals in three games. The Americans are therefore content with second place in Group E, behind the Netherlands.
They will travel to Melbourne, Australia for their round of 16 match on Sunday.
“We should have scored, but we didn’t. It’s our fault, said American star Alex Morgan. We are not happy with our performance, but at least our tournament is not over. »
The United States, who have won the Women’s World Cup four times, have never been eliminated in the preliminary round.
The Netherlands scored four times in a 15-minute span in the first half en route to top spot in Group E with a resounding 7-0 victory over Vietnam on Tuesday in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Their victory, combined with a 0-0 draw between the United States and Portugal, put the Dutch side ahead of the Americans at the top of their group.
The Netherlands quickly took control of the match. Lieke Martens opened the scoring in the eighth minute, lobbing the ball past Vietnamese goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh. The Dutch soon added three more goals, sawing off their rivals’ legs.
Esmee Brugts contributed to the attacking festival, moving the ropes with a brushing strike from outside the penalty area in the 18th minute of play. She scored a second goal from almost the same distance in the second half. Jill Roord also scored a brace.
