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Auckland, New Zealand — Megan Rapinoe’s power as a second-half substitute didn’t spark the listless United States, which slipped by to the spherical of 16 within the Girls’s World Cup regardless of an uninspiring 0-0 draw in opposition to Portugal on Tuesday.
The tie helped the US keep away from the largest upset in match historical past and was simply sufficient to make sure the People superior to the knockout spherical. The U.S. appeared shaky at finest in a sport the People had been anticipated to win.
The People, essentially the most profitable group ever on the World Cup with 4 titles, have by no means been eradicated within the group stage on the World Cup. It is the primary time in match historical past that the U.S. received only one sport in group play.
The trail for the People additionally hinged on the outcomes of the Netherlands match in opposition to Vietnam, performed concurrently in Dunedin. With a decisive 7-0 victory, the Netherlands bumped the US from the highest of Group E.
The People, the two-time reigning World Cup champions who’re searching for an unprecedented third consecutive title, transfer on because the second seed.
Lynn Williams had an opportunity on a header within the 14th minute however Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira smothered it. Whereas the U.S. managed possession and had the higher possibilities, the group 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 will not be out there for the group’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 fireplace alarm went off within the stadium. It turned out to be a malfunctioning sprinkler.
The US had a free kick from a harmful spot within the 57th minute, however Alex Morgan’s header popped up effectively over the objective. She put her palms to her face in exasperation.
Rapinoe got here in as a sub within the 61st minute, however the high scorer on the 2019 World Cup could not discover that elusive objective.
The People had a severe scare in stoppage time when Ana Capeta practically scored for Portugal, however her shot hit the appropriate submit.
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 group’s first two video games.
Lavelle boosted the group when she got here in at halftime in opposition to the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington when a lackluster opening half despatched the People into the break down 1-0 to the Dutch. Lavell’s nook to Lindsey Horan gave the People a 1-1 draw within the match.
However the power simply wasn’t there in opposition to Portugal and the People appeared misplaced and unorganized for many of the match.
The US final misplaced within the group stage to Sweden on the 2011 World Cup, however the People nonetheless superior to the ultimate match earlier than shedding on penalties to champion Japan.
The People haven’t wanted the third and ultimate group-stage match to be taught their match destiny since 2007, when there was a slim probability for elimination.
Going into the match in opposition to Portugal, the US sat atop Group E, even on factors with the Netherlands however holding an edge on objective differential.
The US had received the entire earlier 10 matches in opposition to Portugal. The Portuguese have by no means scored in opposition to the People.
With its decisive victory over Vietnam, the Netherlands heads to Sydney to face the second-place group from Group G, which incorporates Sweden, South Africa, Italy and Argentina. The US performs the group’s high group.
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