The U.S. girls’s nationwide workforce needs to be thanking the goalpost at Eden Park in New Zealand for serving to them advance to the World Cup knockout stage on Tuesday.
Portugal ahead Ana Capeta had an opportunity to place Portugal forward within the first minute of additional time. Capeta’s shot went off the put up to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s left. The Portuguese bench was able to have fun and was in disbelief after the shot was missed. The U.S. took one big breath.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The match led to a 0-0 draw, however Portugal’s powerful play was the actual shocker because the U.S. had been anticipated to win handily.
Kika Nazareth, left, and Fatima Pinto, proper, react the shot by Ana Capeta, not pictured, hitting a put up through the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Portugal and USA at Eden Park on Aug. 1, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Fiona Goodall – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photos)
“It’s not the outcome we needed, however we transfer ahead,” Alex Morgan stated after the match.
One of many higher probabilities got here within the 53rd minute when Lindsey Horan was on the counterattack. She discovered Morgan in entrance, and it was only a bit too removed from right here. Morgan put it on aim, however it was knocked away.
USWNT’S PLAY IN DRAW VS PORTUGAL ‘SIMPLY UNINSPIRING,’ CARLI LLOYD SAYS
Portugal’s Ana Capeta look dejected after the match as Portugal are knocked out of the World Cup. (REUTERS/David Rowland)
Morgan then had an amazing likelihood within the 83rd minute. She had the benefit and appeared to cross it, however it was blocked. She then took a shot however Portugal keeper Ines Pereira blocked the shot. Within the first minute of additional time, she bought one other look, however her try was excessive of the online.
Veteran defender Kelley O’Hara was seen speaking together with her workforce after the match as they lined up in a circle on the pitch. She was requested what she instructed the squad.
“I simply instructed the workforce ‘Pay attention, we did what we needed to do, we’re shifting on, the group stage is completed, that is over, it is within the rearview, we now have our subsequent sport in entrance of us and that is the one one which issues,’” O’Hara stated. “Perhaps we did not do it the best way we needed to, or deliberate on doing it, however we’re advancing and that is the World Cup and that is all that issues.”
United States’ Megan Rapinoe embraces Portugal’s Jessica Silva, left, following the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the US at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP Photograph/Abbie Parr)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The U.S. will doubtless play Sweden within the knockout stage.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
