The United States, held in check by Portugal (0-0), Tuesday in Auckland, finish in second place in their group at the Women’s World Cup, a mini-earthquake which complicates their course for the hat-trick they covet. Team USA has validated its qualification for the round of 16, but the way is not there, for a double title holder selection accustomed to crushing the competition.
The Americans even came close to elimination, during a crazy end to the match which increased their nervousness tenfold, palpable throughout the game. They were saved by the post, on a shot in added time from Ana Capeta (90th 2), passed a few centimeters from achieving one of the greatest sensations in the history of the competition. Given the scenario, the teammates of star striker Sophia Smith (5 pts) will be able to settle for second place in Group E, behind the Netherlands (7 pts) who crushed Vietnam (7-0) in Dunedin , at the same time. Americans and Dutch were neutralized (1-1), last Thursday, during the remake of the final of the 2019 edition.
This result exposes the United States to a difficult 8th against Sweden, 3rd nation in the FIFA world rankings, which has yet to validate its first place on Wednesday. The last time Team USA didn’t finish top of their group at a World Cup was in 2011. They lost in the final to Japan. The Portuguese, for their first participation, left by the front door a tournament more open than expected, which confirmed that the gap was closing between the established selections and their pursuers.
USA coach Vlatko Andonovski has brought a talented but inexperienced group to Oceania, more than half of whom are new to competition. Portugal has highlighted the limits of a collective that lacks automatisms, and relies on individual exploits or set pieces to make the difference. The Seleçao jostled in the first period, in unexpected proportions, nervous Americans, who risked elimination in the event of defeat. Midfielder Rose Lavelle, author of a decisive pass against the Netherlands, notably received a yellow card (38th) which earned her a suspension for the round of 16.
The United States took the physical advantage after returning from the locker room, but without putting in the efficiency that would have allowed them to catch up with the Dutch on goal difference, and avoid a few scares at the end of the match. Rising star Sophia Smith, named best player in the American Championship last season, had no chances before her replacement by Megan Rapinoe (60th). It was finally Capeta, who entered during the match a few seconds earlier, who had the match point, in a duel against goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. But the Sporting Portugal striker found the post, a twist of fate which sends a warning to the Americans, in lack of certainties before the knockout phase.
In search of a reference match after a sluggish success against Portugal (1-0) and a frustrating draw against the Americans (1-1), the Netherlands have confirmed their status as favorites. Facing the last team of group E, Vietnam, the Dutch took only eight minutes to open the scoring through Lieke Martens, before quickly doubling the lead thanks to Katja Snoeijs (11th).
The Oranje, though deprived of their top scorer Vivianne Miedema for the competition, showed formidable efficiency in front of goal in the first period, where almost all the offensive players stood out. New goals from Esmee Brugts (18th), then Jill Roord (23rd) and Danielle van de Donk (45th), tortured a desperate Vietnamese defense.
Back from the locker room, the Netherlands took advantage of the gap in the score to spin, which did not prevent Esmee Brugt and Jill Roord from offering themselves a double, the first of a sublime curling shot (57th ), the second of the head (83rd). This first place in group E, validated by the draw of the United States against Portugal at the same time (0-0), could prevent the Dutch from a potential round of 16 against Sweden, another major team in the competition. The Vietnamese finish last with 0 points and 12 goals conceded (no goals scored).
