The Women’s World Cup has entered the knockout stages and there are so many improved teams, the United States will have a hard time to win for a third consecutive time.
The USA suffered a huge scare against Women’s World Cup debutants Portugal before scraping through to the last 16 with a 0-0 draw.
The Stars and Stripes are yet to fire at the tournament and, after being held by the Netherlands 1-1 in their previous match, suffered another frustrating draw that raised questions about their hopes of winning the tournament for an unprecedented third time in a row.
Portugal, who would have caused one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history had they won, hit the post through Ana Capeta in the 91st minute.
In the end the USA were relieved to hear the full-time whistle, the point enough to take them through as runners-up to the Netherlands, who thrashed Vietnam 7-0.
The Americans, the world number one, will now face the winners of Group G, which was decided on Wednesday with Sweden - the last nation to defeat the USA in a 90-minute game at the World Cup - set to finish top unless there was a 10-goal swing.
Meanwhile, England’s Lauren James is generating enormous praise for her superlative goal to secure a 1-0 win against Denmark. The Chelsea striker’s stunner drew admiration from onlookers. She then topped that performance with two goals and three assists in England’s 6-1 thrashing of China on Tuesday.
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