USA are willing to book their place in the round of 16 with a win against Portugal in their last Group E game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
POR-W vs USA-W Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 1 August 2023
Time: 12:30 (IST) / 19:00 (NZST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
POR-W vs USA-W Match Preview
Portugal created history by registering their first-ever win in their debut Women’s World Cup. Telma Encarnacao smashed in the Selecao das Quinas’ first goal at this stage in only the seventh minute of the match while 20-year-old talent Francisca Nazareth doubled the lead 14 minutes later. Portugal could have added more to their tally but Vietnam’s resilient defence restricted them to only a 2-0 triumph. Nevertheless, Francisco Neto’s team are joyous about their achievement and will hope to drive their energy in the final group game. Facing number one in the world will be a test like no other and the one they somehow need to pass in order to move into the knockout rounds. They had to either pull off an upset like never before or wait for the Netherlands to suffer a loss against already eliminated Vietnam in case of a day. Neither circumstances look likeable for the team. However, this edition of the World Cup has shown ranking or royalty in the contest does not matter on the pitch. So, Portugal will be building on creating something huge in their women’s football history.
USA were stunned when Jill Roord’s strike enter into their net on the 17th-minute mark. This was the first time the holders went behind in a World Cup game since 2011, after 17 matches in the tournament. While they were looking at a first defeat since 2003, Captain America as she is called, Lindsey Horan planted her header from a corner driven by Rose Lavelle shortly after the hour mark. It was Horan’s second consecutive strike in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The match ended 1-1 with USA maintaining their 19-match unbeaten run in the tournament even though their 13-game winning streak came to an end. Their opening day result should not ring alarm bells yet. Slipping off against Portugal will be a catastrophe for the defending champions and a huge shock too. USA will certainly not be making such a scenario as only a point will be enough for an eighth consecutive qualification to the knockout rounds.
Recent Form (all comp)
POR-W: WLLWD
USA-W: DWWWW
Recent Form (World Cup)
POR-W: WL
USA-W: DW
POR-W vs USA-W Predicted Lineups
POR-W: Morais; Borges, Costa, Seica; Alves, Jacinto, T. Pinto, Marchao; Nazareth; J. Silva, Encarnacao
USA-W: Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; Lavelle Sullivan, Horan; Rodman, Smith, Morgan
POR-W vs USA-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Morais (8)
DEF: Fox (8.5), Borges (8), Girma (7.5), Dunn (7)
MID: Lavelle (6.5) Horan (8.5), Nazareth (8)
FW: Encarnacao (7.5), Morgan (9), Smith (9)
Vice-captain: Sophia Smith
Captain: Lindsey Horan
