2023-08-01 10:57:55
The United States failed to find the fault on Tuesday against Portugal in their third Group E match (0-0). The crushing victory of the Netherlands against Vietnam (7-0) in the other match dropped them to second place.
Published on: 08/01/2023 – 10:57Modified on: 08/01/2023 – 11:19
4 mn
The world champions came close to disaster. The United States came close to elimination on Tuesday August 1 against Portugal by failing to make the difference (0-0). Portugal even found the post in the final moments.
The reigning world champions entered the match intent on holding their own. They take control of the game. Team USA finds spaces on the sides. Alex Morgan takes a center from the left but is countered at the last moment (3rd). It is also Williams who hurts by taking balls from the head (4th, 14th). But Inès Pereira is watching.
But the Portuguese are not impressed. They know that in the event of an exploit, they would play the first round of 16 in their history. Well launched in depth, Jessica tries her luck before even entering the surface. A shot too crushed (16th).
Couldn’t find the fault
Alex Morgan overflows on the left and is on the edge of the goal clearance. His cross is countered and finds Pereira’s post. Her teammate sends the ball over (27th). Without finding the flaw, the Americans are beefing up their game and the faults are multiplying.
The river score at halftime on the side of Netherlands – Vietnam forces Team USA to raise the level of return to the field, under penalty of a surprise elimination. Rose Lavelle tries a long shot (47th). Alex Morgan is very close to opening the score: she accelerates and picks up speed to overtake the defense. She shifts to the right to overtake the goalkeeper, then tries to adjust with her weak foot in the empty goal. Diana Gomes emerges to save on her line (54th). On the blow of Lavelle, his head flies away (57th).
To finally open the score, Megan Rapinoe makes her entrance under the ovations of the public for her 201st selection. But the arrival of the icon on the field does not radically change the course of the match: Portugal continues to defend well, to close the game, leaving the Americans chasing after the goal that would put them under cover. The pacing of the game suffers.
A pole that saves America
Portugal believes him: a cross from Andreia Jacinto worries the Americans. Alyssa Naeher tries twice to capture (82nd). Alex Morgan responds with a shot that Pereira blocks (83rd).
Portugal believes in its chances of rocking the American giants. Capeta, who inherits the ball at the entrance to the surface, manages at the end of the race to trigger a shot which crashes into the post of Naeher, beaten (90th + 2). There is fire and Rapinoe is aware of it, she sounds the revolt. She crosses from the left side but Alex Morgan cannot resume (90th + 3).
Double reigning champions, the players of Team USA have been warned: they will have to raise their level of play if they want to hope to keep their crown. As for Portugal, they come out with their heads held high and even with some regrets.
The slap of the Netherlands in Vietnam
The Dutch, vice-world champions in 2019, crushed Vietnam (7-0), which allows them to finish in first place in group E, ahead of the United States.
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 also confirmed their status as favorites.
Facing the last team of group E, 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).
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