Women’s World Cup 2023: USA in unfamiliar position before crunch Portugal clash

Holders United States arrived on the Women’s World Cup as favourites to win an unprecedented third straight title however its place within the match will likely be on the road when it takes on Portugal in Tuesday’s Group E showdown in Auckland.

The Americans, who’ve by no means been eradicated from the group stage in World Cup historical past, haven’t but hit peak type. They beat minnows Vietnam 3-0, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands left each groups locked on 4 factors.

An enormous win for the Netherlands in opposition to already eradicated Vietnam in Dunedin may give it an opportunity of leapfrogging the defending champion, which sit prime because of a superior aim distinction.

While third-placed Portugal can nonetheless qualify with an upset in opposition to the top-ranked Americans, the U.S. and Netherlands stay extra more likely to advance and can intention to rack up the objectives.

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“For us the most important thing is getting into the knockout stage, first and foremost,” U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski mentioned.

“We don’t want to look two, three, four steps forward. If we start thinking too far ahead, our chance may never come.”

The Group E runners-up may face Sweden, presently main Group G after thrashing Italy 5-0, within the final 16.

“It would be nice to perhaps avoid Sweden in the next rounds,” mentioned Dutch ahead Lieke Martens, who was a part of the crew that beat Sweden within the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.

“That was a big result (against Italy). There was a lot of scoring against a good opponent.”

Lindsey Horan of the U.S. celebrates scoring in opposition to the Netherlands.
| Photo Credit:
AMANDA PEROBELLI/REUTERS

Group D will even go all the way down to the wire on Tuesday, with England within the field seat. The European champion sits prime with six factors and solely wants a draw in opposition to China in Adelaide to seal a knockout spot.

Denmark, taking part in at a World Cup for the primary time since 2007, is degree on three factors with China however in second place on aim distinction earlier than it faces match newcomers Haiti in Perth.