USA vs Portugal 0-0: Women’s World Cup 2023 – as it happened

We almost witnessed one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history in Auckland as the post saved the USA from the humiliation of exiting the tournament in the group stages.

But the world champions survived an almighty scare and progress in the tournament.

The Netherlands will join them in the last 16 after annihilating Vietnam 7-0.

There are two games remaining today as Group D comes to a close. We’ll have live coverage as England look to secure qualification against China in Adelaide.

Five points marks the USA’s worst ever group stage performance at the Women’s World Cup.

After easing past Vietnam in their opening match, they drew with the Netherlands and Portugal.

They’ll play the winners of Group G in their last 16 match. As it stands, that will most likely mean a huge clash with Sweden in Melbourne.

The USA will need to vastly improve for that one.

Vlatko Andonovski has also been trying to explain why the USA are struggling to take their chances:

“Obviously it’s a fairly new team, look at the players on the field,” he said.

“The more time we spend together, the more of those chances we are going to take”.

USA forward Alex Morgan has been speaking in Auckland:

“It’s tough to be second, we wanted to go through first. This team gave everything. In the last few minutes we had to get the result and now we move on and we look forward.

“The players who came in really helped the starting squad but it’s not the result we wanted.”

She was also asked why the USA are struggling to score goals:

“It’s just not going into the next. We have so many corners, so many opportunities, we get crosses in but it’s just unlucky.

“It was a very physical game, the players ran a lot this game and put their bodies on the line”.

The Netherlands’ thumping 7-0 win over Vietnam in Dunedin ensures that they top Group E with seven points.

The USA finish second after clinging on for a goalless draw with Portugal. They end the group on five points.

Portugal finish third, with Vietnam propping up the table on zero points.

That’s it. The USA have qualified for the last 16, but it was desperately close.

Portugal were the width of a post away from a place in the knockout stages. Their players are devastated.

Full-time: Portugal 0-0 USA

The USA try to keep the ball to kill time at the end of this one.

The world champions will be desperate for the full-time whistle.

90+8 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Off: Dunn, Morgan

On: O’Hara, Thompson

90+6 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Another chance for Portugal!

Marchao hoists a free kick into the box from long range. Naeher comes out to claim it but she was nowhere near catching the ball.

Luckily for the USA the ball evades everyone and goes behind for a goal kick. The world champions are clinging on.

90+5 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Rapinoe finds herself in space on the edge of the Portugal box.

She curls the ball into a central area and it finds Morgan but she’s unable to direct an effort towards goal.

The stadium is still stunned by that chance for Portugal.

90+3 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Portugal hit the post!

Ana Capeta has absolutely drilled a shot into the right-hand post. She latched on to a forward ball just minutes after coming on.

Naeher was completely beaten.

90+1 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Off: Catarina Amado, Diana Silva

On: Ana Capeta, Joana Marchao

90 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Lavelle swings in a corner from the right and there’s a huge collision between Pereira and Sonnett in the six yard box.

Prior to that, Amado was the latest Portuguese player to be booked after she fouled Lavelle.

87 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Two chances for Morgan.

She picks up a searching forward ball. She runs towards the byline and tries to find Rodman in the box but it’s cleared by a Portugal defender. The ball returns straight back to Morgan and she attempts a shot but it’s an easy save for Pereira.

The Netherlands are now seven up on Vietnam!

85 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Off: Lindsey Horan, Lynn Williams

On: Emily Sonnett, Trinity Rodman

83 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Jessica Silva turns Girma brilliantly and wins a free kick.

Girma is booked for that pull on Silva’s shirt. Before the free kick, Norton comes off for Encarnacao.

The free kick is swung into the box. It finds Costa on right edge of the area. She lashes the ball into the centre of the box, but the USA scramble it clear.

82 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

Portugal know that they only need one chance, but they are struggling to create anything of note.

Jessica Silva collides with Fox on the touchline, but the referee sees nothing wrong with the challenge.

Portugal are lining up more changes.

79 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA

There’s real tension around Eden Park. Everybody knows what’s at stake here.

Both teams have struggled to find any real rhythm in this second half.

76 mins: Portugal 0-0 USA