The powerhouse USA facet has dodged catastrophe in opposition to Portugal in a 0-all draw on the Women’s World Cup at Eden Park in New Zealand.
The US, who’ve received the final two Women’s World Cup titles and 4 of the eight in historical past, have survived by the width of a put up as a draw was ok for them to complete second in group E.
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With the Netherlands claiming a thumping 7-0 win over Vietnam, the trail for the US to prime the group was already troublesome as they’d have wanted a 5-0 win.
Although they solely wanted a draw to guide their place within the spherical of 16, the US nearly misplaced when substitute Ana Capeta had the golden alternative of the match within the second minute of damage time, solely to see the ball bounce off the put up.
It means Portugal had been simply millimetres from transferring into the knockout rounds within the USA’s stead.
Regardless, it’s the USA’s worst ever efficiency in a World Cup group stage and simply the second time the facet has not topped its group.
USA 2019 World Cup winner and ahead Jessica McDonald stated the champion facet had been a shadow of their common selves.
“As far as performance, I did expect more from them, I’m sure a lot of us do, and they’ve been outperformed,” she stated.
“I know they’re walking on eggshells right now. It has not been to their standard so far.”
McDonald stated she “felt sick” when Capeta’s shot beat US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher however slammed into the put up after which bounced straight again out.
The Portuguese workers and reserves couldn’t consider the second, despairing on the sideline.
New Zealand Herald reporter Michael Burgess tweeted: “Never seen anything like this. USA were a few centimetres away from being eliminated from #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 with Portugal hitting the post in the 92nd minute!”
But regardless of the win, the US followers savaged their facet who moved into the knockout stage by the pores and skin of their tooth.
There’s good news for the Matildas nonetheless with the facet not capable of come up in opposition to the defending world champs till the ultimate, in the event that they each make it that far.
The USA struggled to impose themselves in opposition to opponents ranked twenty first on the earth and showing at their first World Cup.
Holding on for the draw means Vlatko Andonovski’s facet end in second place in Group E.
That means pre-tournament favourites the USA will transfer to Australia to play a last-16 tie on Sunday in opposition to the winners of Group G, in all chance Olympic silver medallists Sweden.
Nothing about their efficiency right here in entrance of just about 41,000 in Auckland, or of their two earlier matches on the match, suggests the United States will discover it straightforward going in opposition to a facet who completed third on the final World Cup.
It is simply the second time in Women’s World Cup historical past that the USA have did not prime their group, though on the final event, in 2011, they reached the ultimate earlier than shedding on penalties to Japan.
They had by no means earlier than received only one group recreation, and the regression from 4 years in the past in France is hanging.
That time they received all three matches within the first part, rattling in 18 objectives with out reply.
Andonovski has insisted a youthful new crew will want time to search out its ft, however an pressing step-up might be required if they aren’t to be eradicated early within the knockout part.
The US have by no means earlier than failed to succeed in the semi-finals within the eight prior editions of the World Cup.
With AFP
Originally revealed as ‘Millimetres’: USA barely dodge catastrophe in Women’s World Cup stunner
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
