USA vs Portugal score, result, highlights as disappointing USWNT still advance to Women's World Cup Round of 16

Kyle Bonn

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USA vs Portugal score, result, highlights as disappointing USWNT still advance to Women's World Cup Round of 16 image

The U.S. women's national team advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup, but that is the only positive thing that could be said about the 0-0 draw with Portugal to end Group E play.

Ranked No. 1 in the world and seeking a third straight World Cup title, the USWNT looked like anything but tournament favorites as they played a dull, uninspiring, and sloppy 90 minutes that saw Portugal look more likely to win than the two-time defending champions.

In fact, the U.S. were inches from going home altogether, as Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time, nearly putting Portugal in front and condemning the USWNT to a shocking group-stage exit.

Instead, the European debutants are the ones heading home, but not before taking the match to the Women's World Cup favorites, and looking the more likely of the two teams to score.

With the Netherlands demolishing Vietnam in the other group match, the Dutch win Group E, leaving the USWNT with a very difficult knockout-stage gauntlet that will likely see them slated to play Sweden and Japan in their first two single-elimination games.

MORE: USWNT player ratings | Why USA coach is under fire | What went wrong for USA

USA vs Portugal final score

  Final Goal scorers
USA 0 —
Portugal 0 —

Lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Naeher (GK) — 23. Fox, 8. Ertz, 4. Girma, 19. Dunn (O'Hara, 90+7') — 16. Lavelle, 17. Sullivan, 10. Horan (Sonnett, 85') — 6. Williams (Rodman, 85'), 13. Morgan (Thompson, 90+7'), 11. S. Smith (Rapinoe, 61').

Portugal (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Pereira (GK) — 9. Borges, 15. C. Costa, 19. D. Gomes, 2. Amado (Marchao, 89') — 11. T Pinto, 14. Dol. Silva, 8. Norton (Encarnacao, 81') — 10. J. Silva, 20. Nazareth (Jacinto, 62'), 16. Dia. Silva (Capeta, 89').

MORE: Teams out of the World Cup | What Carli Lloyd said about USA performance

Women's World Cup Group E final standings

Team PTS GP W D L GF GA GD
1. Netherlands-Q 7 3 2 1 0 9 1 +8
2. USA-Q 5 3 1 2 0 4 1 +3
3. Portugal 4 3 1 1 1 2 1 +1
4. Vietnam 0 3 0 0 3 0 12 -12

USA vs Portugal live updates, highlights, commentary

FULLTIME: USA 0-0 Portugal

It was very nearly a disaster of epic proportions, but the U.S. survive and — BARELY — secure a spot in the knockout stage.

It's a heroic effort from the Portugal side, who put the USWNT under heavy pressure through the second half and deserved a result from that match. If anyone looked likely to win, it was Portugal.

This U.S. team team looks MILES from being a Women's World Cup title contender or the No. 1 team in the world at the moment. It's the second time ever the U.S. women have failed to win their World Cup group.

USA vs Portugal: Second Half

90+7 min: The final two changes see the U.S. bring Kelley O'Hara and Alyssa Thompson for Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan. This is mostly to kill time and bring on fresh legs. Portugal are applying consistent pressure and putting the U.S. on the brink. This is very nervous.

90+5 min: Another ugly mistake by the U.S. this time by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who comes out to punch away a free-kick delivery and comes up very short. The ball rolls harmlessly wide, letting her off the hook.

90+2 min: Chance, Portugal! PORTUGAL HAVE HIT THE POST! INCREDIBLE! THE U.S. WAS INCHES AWAY FROM GOING HOME!

Just onto the field, Ana Capeta gets free on goal and beats Alyssa Naeher but beats the post!

89th min: Portugal are throwing everything they have at this, knowing they have to win to advance. They've withdrawn a booked Catarina Amado and Diana Silva, replaced by Ana Capeta and Joana Marchao.

Eight minutes of stoppage time is shown.

85th min: Portugal have a set-piece and aren't far off. The U.S. make a double change, with Lindsey Horan and Lynn Williams withdrawn for Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett. Looks like Sonnett will slot into the midfield, which is interesting.

The Netherlands have made it 7-0 vs. Vietnam.

80th min: Naomi Girma is booked for taking down a Portuguese attacker on a counter-attack. The foul was necessary to stop an opportunity after a bad giveaway.

Portugal make a substitution, with Telma Encarnacao replacing Andreia Norton.

76th min: This game has completely ground to a half. The U.S. know they'll advance with a draw. Vlatko only made one substitutions against the Netherlands, and it's tracking that way again here today, with Rapinoe so far the only one off the bench.

USWNT fans are NOT happy about the lack of substitutions, given the performance.

72nd min: Diana Gomes is booked for a very late tackle on Alex Morgan. She would be suspended for a potential Round of 16 match if Portugal advance.

69th min: Play is back under way, but it's more of the same from the U.S. They just cannot find each other and string together passes. It remains a mess. Portugal so impressive disrupting the U.S. buildup.

65th min: There's a long stoppage of play as Diana Silva is down receiving treatment in the penalty area, after she took a blow to the face during a corner scrum.

61st min: Megan Rapinoe enters the pitch for Sophia Smith. It's a very popular move at Eden Park, which erupts as Rapinoe enters the field. Trinity Rodman remains on the bench.

Portugal respond with a sub of their own, as 20-year-old Kika Nazareth is replaced by 21-year-old Andreia Jacinto.

58th min: Better from the U.S. midfield as Rose Lavelle brilliantly splits two defenders and charges vertically into the final third, but she ruins it by overhitting her vertical ball for Sophia Smith.

It's 6-0 Netherlands over Vietnam. There's no way the U.S. can catch them now.

56th min: Carole Costa earns a yellow card after being skinned by Alex Morgan, giving the U.S. a very dangerous free-kick just outside the top-right corner of the penalty area. Rose Lavelle stands over the free-kick, and her delivery is dangerous, but Morgan's header is popped high in the air and over the crossbar.

Watch in USA:

54th min: Chance, USA! Alex Morgan has her shot cleared off the line! Lindsey Horan feeds a vertical ball for Morgan, and while she latches onto it and rounds the goalkeeper, her shot is from a very tight angle, and it's easy for a defender to clean up. A good chance, but a very difficult finish.

53rd min: Sophia Smith is shown a yellow card for a high boot in the vicinity of Dolores Silva. Sure.

Watch in USA:

50th min: Sophia Smith is almost in tears as she's kicked straight in the back by Tatiana Pinto while on the ground. No yellow card shown by the referee, somehow. The inconsistent officiating continues.

47th min: Rose Lavelle is thumped in midfield, winning the U.S. a free kick. There's some confusion in Eden Park as a fire alarm begins blaring, which is easily audible on the broadcast.

Rose Lavelle gets on the end of Julie Ertz's free-kick but fires it miles over the crossbar.

Kickoff: The second half is under way, and there are no halftime substitutes for the United States, which makes zero sense.

The U.S. needs to improve significantly, not only to try and catch the Dutch who are running away with the group, but also simply to avoid a potential upset. The longer Portugal remain in this game, the more they will push for a shock winner. Defeat would mean the U.S. fail to qualify for the knockout stage — a fate they've never suffered across the eight Women's World Cup tournaments.

Even if the U.S. advance, they will want a better 45 minutes to prove they're still among the favorites to win this tournament, because right now, they don't look remotely close to playing the part of Women's World Cup title contender.

HALFTIME: USA 0-0 Portugal

Just like against the Netherlands a few days ago, the USWNT go into halftime on the heels of a miserably poor first 45 minutes. While they are level this time around, after being down 1-0 to the Dutch, it still somehow feels like they're trailing.

The U.S. were out-passed, out-possessed, and out-played by No. 26-ranked Portugal. The midfield is completely invisible and the attack is on an island. There's no link-up in the progression, and they can't seem to create anything impressive.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands lead Vietnam 5-0, meaning the U.S. require three goals here just to catch up, and that's only if the Dutch fail to score any more. The U.S. are staring down a second-place finish in the group, which would leave them with a daunting path to the final that would likely begin with games against Sweden and Japan.

USA vs Portugal: First Half

45+1 min: Chance, USA! Lynn Williams crops up on the penalty spot with space to fire a whipped effort on goal, but she places it right at the Portugal goalkeeper. A disappointing finish.

43rd min: Sophia Smith hacks down Ana Borges and is whistled for a foul. Somehow, that's not a booking given Lavelle earned one for less not five minutes before. Entirely inconsistent officiating so far.

Meanwhile, the Dutch score a fifth against Vietnam, and the distance for the U.S. to go to win this group feels cavernous now.

39th min: Rose Lavelle is booked for a foul in midfield, and earns a booking, which means she's suspended for a potential Round of 16 match. It's, in truth, a dicey call from the official, who had let a ton go before that moment.

Lavelle being suspended is huge, considering the U.S. very well may finish second in the group, which leaves them with a likely game against Sweden in the knockout stage.

37th min: English official Rebecca Welch has let a LOT of physicality from Portugal go without blowing her whistle. Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn both felled without a call. Can't be long until the USWNT players get frustrated by that. Dunn is slow to get up, but it looks more like she's trying to make a point than she's truly in pain.

The U.S. have spent the better part of the last 10 minutes in their own defensive half. They can't get anything going up front.

33rd min: Everything is just so incredibly sloppy for the U.S. Emily Fox, under no pressure whatsoever on the right flank, just loses the ball over the touchline. Yikes.

28th min: Portugal push forward into the attacking third again, and come close to creating an opportunity. They are finding lots of joy down the right flank.

For the second straight match against a European opponent, the U.S. is being out-possessed through the first half-hour of the game. The midfield has not had any influence over the game, with Andi Sullivan again invisible at the No. 6 spot.

23rd min: A second U.S. corner is defended very well by Ines Pereira who punches away under heavy traffic. Then, Emily Fox wins a free-kick in a dangerous position at the top of the attacking third, but it's again bravely punched away by Pereira who takes a thumping from Alex Morgan and needs treatment.

Meanwhile, it's a fourth goal for the Dutch against Vietnam, and the U.S. now surely need to win by multiple goals to have a shot at winning the group.

19th min: Sophia Smith is clattered in midfield, a dangerous tackle from Dolores Silva, who is lucky not to be booked. That gives Vlatko Andonovski a chance to have a chat with some players to discuss tactics, while Smith receives treatment. She's fine to continue.

16th min: Chance, Portugal! Look out! A sensational through-ball completely slices open the U.S. midfield and defense in one fell swoop, sending Jessica Silva clean through on goal! The Portugal striker does not have the composure necessary to finish the chance, however, and she takes the shot far too early, scuffing it well wide. Alyssa Naeher gave it a dive, but it's out of her reach and out for a goal kick. Wonder if she heard footsteps, real or imagined.

Meanwhile, the Dutch have scored AGAIN and it's 3-0 over Vietnam. The U.S. now need a 2-0 victory here to win the group.

14th min: Chance, USA! The best chance for the U.S. so far is created by Sophia Smith, who latches onto a vertical ball down the left and lofts it deep into the penalty area to the far post. Lynn Williams is wide open, and heads it across to Alex Morgan, but Ines Pereira gets to the feed before Morgan can reach it. Good goalkeeping; had Morgan got there, it's a tap-in goal.

Watch in USA:

12th min: Andi Sullivan is thumped in midfield by 20-year-old Francisca Nazareth. The USWNT expected a physical battle from Portugal.

Netherlands score again, and goal differential could be a very big story here if they continue to pour on more vs. Vietnam.

Watch Netherlands goal vs. Vietnam in USA:

9th min: The Portuguese have a decent spell of attacking possession, and it ends with Andreia Norton blasting a shot miles over the bar.

The Dutch have already gone in front of Vietnam, and they now lead Group E as it stands, with still lots of time remaining for that to change.

Watch Netherlands goal vs. Vietnam in USA:

3rd min: It's Alex Morgan in front of goal again who provides another half-chance, with a Lynn Williams cross meeting Morgan at the near post. Morgan's attempted flick with her back to goal is defended, but it wins a corner.

Rose Lavelle, in her first start, is the set-piece specialist for the U.S. and her delivery is perfect, right to the head of Williams, but the angle is too tight and Ines Pereira can collect.

Watch in USA:

1st min: The U.S. have a decent chance right from kickoff as Lindsey Horan gets on the ball wide and sends a cross to Alex Morgan. The USWNT striker gets up for the header, but can't get on it with two opportunities.

Sophia Smith latched onto a ball down the left but lost it out of touch. Lynn Williams has already lost a boot.

Kickoff: The final Group E matches at the 2023 Women's World Cup are off and running! We'll keep an eye on the Netherlands vs Vietnam game as well, but it's expected that game will result in three points for the Dutch. If the U.S. win, goal differential could come into play, so it's worth keeping an eye on proceedings in that game as well.

USA vs Portugal: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

15 mins to kick: There's a big spotlight on Lynn Williams tonight after she earned the first World Cup start of her career. Jenny Taft of Fox reported on the pregame show that Vlatko Andonovski informed her she'd be starting this game the morning after the Netherlands draw.

Don't forget, Trinity Rodman scored a brace off the bench against Wales in the USWNT's World Cup tuneup friendly, and will be a dangerous late option here against tired Portuguese legs.

30 mins to kick: Yellow card suspensions start to become a reality at this stage of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

For the U.S. there are two players who would pick up a one-game ban with their next booking, that being midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle. Portugal have Ana Borges, Diana Gomes, and Jessica Silva all on the precipice.

45 mins to kick: Looking at the confirmed Portugal lineup, there are a few interesting calls by head coach Francisco Neto. He's made a change in goalkeeper, with Ines Pereira returning to the fold in place of Patricia Morais, after the latter kept a clean sheet against Vietnam.

He has also brought Diane Gomes in along the back line, replacing Catarina Amado, plus a whopping three changes in midfield. This lineup is much more like the one that played the Netherlands in the opener, after rotating the side heavily against Vietnam.

1 hour to kick: A big spotlight will be on Andi Sullivan tonight. With Vlatko Andonovski selecting to leave Julie Ertz at center-back for a third straight match, it means Sullivan continues at the No. 6 spot despite her extremely poor performance against the Netherlands.

Sullivan was largely at fault for the Dutch goal, and she collected just 47 touches throughout the match, an extremely low total for the No. 6 on a possessionally dominant side. She needs a much better performance here to justify leaving Alana Cook on the sideline and playing Ertz out of position.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: The USWNT lineup is out early. Rose Lavelle is IN the starting lineup, and while it's unknown whether she is match fit for a full 90 minute performance, she will almost surely go at least 60 unless this is a blowout at halftime.

The biggest surprise is that Lynn Williams starts in place of Trinity Rodman, who was wasteful against the Netherlands. Julie Ertz remains at center-back, with Alana Cook still on the sidelines. Ertz was billed as an emergency CB option coming into the tournament, but has started all three group stage games.

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Portugal playmaker Dolores Silva, who is the key individual for the U.S. to stop if they wish to keep the Europeans out of the net, is taking the World Cup head on, but remembers to appreciate how important this experience is for her country no matter the result.

Unlike many of her international teammates, who are with either Benfica or Sporting, Silva plays for domestic club Braga after a long journey playing in Germany and Spain. She's as experienced and battle-tested as they come.

Silva was benched against Vietnam after a poor 65 minutes against the Netherlands, but could return here with Portugal knowing they must get goals to reach the knockout stage.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Alex Morgan is a USWNT legend, but she is not the same player she once was. She has provided very solid hold-up play through the first two U.S. matches at this 2023 Women's World Cup, but her threat to score has diminished significantly.

It's no guarantee she starts tonight, or the rest of the tournament. If Vlatko Andonovski wishes for a more pacey, vertical attack, he could decide to bench Alex Morgan and start Lynn Williams, moving Sophia Smith to CF. He could also decide to sit Trinity Rodman as well, with Williams entering. Carli Lloyd believes Lynn Williams should be getting more minutes moving forward.

2 hours to kick: The U.S. women have left the team hotel and are on their way to Eden Park! It's roughly 5 p.m. local time in Auckland currently.

2 hours 15 mins to kick: World Cup behind-the-scenes content always hits. Here's the latest from U.S. Soccer, as they get ready to take on Portugal in Auckland.

2 hours 30 mins to kick: English referee Rebecca Welch is in charge of this match between the U.S. and Portugal. It will be her second game at the 2023 Women's World Cup, having officiated the 2-0 win for Colombia against South Korea in the first round of Group H play.

Welch was the first woman to officiate a men's English Football League match in 2021, and shortly thereafter became the first woman to officiate a men's FA Cup match. She is a Women's Super League mainstay, regularly taking charge of big matches, including her appointment of a Manchester derby last season as well as three games involving title-winners Chelsea.

2 hours 45 mins to kick: Here's the situation for knockout stage qualification, simplified: The U.S. are through with a win or draw, no questions asked. Lose, and they are out unless the Netherlands are upset by Vietnam, then Portugal win the group, and it will come down to goal differential between the U.S. and Dutch for second place.

Should the U.S. advance, they must beat the Netherlands result to win the group. If they equal the Dutch result, it comes down to goal differential (where they currently hold a +2 advantage) for the top spot. If the Dutch best the U.S. result, they win the group.

For Portugal, they MUST win to advance, and that's it — if they win, they're in, if they don't, they're out. Nothing else matters.

3 hours to kick: There are many questions about the USWNT lineup tonight after Vlatko Andonovski surprised everyone with his Starting XI against the Netherlands last time out, but there's no bigger situation looming than Rose Lavelle's status.

Lavelle is coming off a knee injury that kept her out for three months, and now requires build-up to full match fitness. She was rated for 45 minutes against the Netherlands, and thus came on at halftime, changing the game in favor of the U.S. If she's now rated for even 60 minutes, she will likely start tonight, but the U.S. coaching staff has been very tight-lipped on her fitness availability all tournament.

3 hours 15 mins to kick: The United States women know that goal differential could come into play as Group E finishes up, and they will want to grab as many as they can against Portugal. If the U.S. beat Portugal and the Netherlands beat Vietnam, goal differential will decide the group winner. The USWNT hold a 2-goal differential advantage currently, but with the Dutch playing Vietnam, that will come under fire.

3 hours 30 mins to kick: Portugal captain Ana Borges, the most-capped player in Portuguese women's history with 151 appearances, is a winger converted to full-back, and even sometimes she can dropping further into defense. She is leading her nation in their first Women's World Cup appearance, and while they have no illusions about the mountain they must climb, needing a win against the No. 1 team in the world to qualify for the knockout stage, they're not backing down.

"We want to make history and leave the two-time world champions out," Borges said before the match. Aim high — this is why they play the games, after all.

3 hours 45 mins to kick: Megan Rapinoe had an interesting perspective on the relatively disappointing performances through the opening two matches of the 2023 Women's World Cup. She says that when you're ranked No. 1 in the world, it's almost impossible to live up to expectations, and the pressure of holding that mantle means perfection is expected even when unrealistic.

She's right...to a point. The cold-hard truth is the USWNT hasn't been great so far, and that's worrying relative to what fans know they're capable of. Rapinoe played that off as the U.S. "building into the tournament." Which...sure, fine. Most top teams (think England, France, Germany) have struggled to live up to expectations early, but others, like Spain and Sweden, have. So the expectations for top teams aren't unrealistic, as Rapinoe seems to suggest — just very, very high.

4 hours to kickoff: The United States women have a pristine record against Portugal, winning all 10 meetings by a combined 39-0 scoreline. Yet this is not the same Portugal side they've played in the past. The Europeans, in their first-ever Women's World Cup showing, boast good talent in the prime of their careers.

Here's the number you should pay more attention to: the United States have won all 11 Women's World Cup matches against debutants in the competition. While the talent across the globe is spreading, experience is one thing today's opponents lack, and that could play a big role.

USA vs Portugal lineups, team news

The U.S. forwards struggled mightily against the Netherlands in their last Group E match, so it felt inevitable that manager Vlatko Andonovski would make changes up front, and he does. Lynn Williams is rotated in, while Trinity Rodman sits on the bench after a wasteful performance against the Dutch.

It was expected that Rose Lavelle would start last time out against the Netherlands, but that was not the case, with Andonovski indicating that she was limited to 45 minutes of action. She came on at halftime and made a huge impact, and finally does earn her first start of the 2023 tournament here today.

There are also questions about where Julie Ertz will play with Andi Sullivan struggling mightily at the No. 6 spot, but Ertz remains at center-back, leaving Alana Cook stuck on the bench and Sullivan in midfield.

Injuries hit the U.S. hard before the tournament, leaving Mallory Swanson, Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Press, and Catarina Macario all unable to prove fit for World Cup duty.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Naeher (GK) — Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn — Lavelle, Sullivan, Horan — Williams, Morgan, S. Smith.

USA subs (12): Murphy (GK), Kingsbury (GK), Cook, Sonnett, Huerta, O'Hara, Mewis, Sanchez, DeMelo, Thompson, Rapinoe, Rodman.

Portugal head coach Francisco Neto made big changes to his lineup from the first to the second game, and against the U.S. he has rotated the side back to where they were against the Netherlands to open the tournament.

Playmaker Andreia Norton of Benfica starts at the No. 10 spot, hoping for a turnaround after going an unthinkable 2-of-22 on ground duels. Kika Nazareth, who picked up a goal against Vietnam and created three chances for her teammates, is one of the few from last match to retain her place, while Ines Pereira returns to goalkeeping duty in place of Patricia Morais.

Three Portugal players are on yellow card suspensions, meaning another booking for Jessica Silva, Ana Borges, or captain Diana Gomes would see them banned for a potential Round of 16 game should they qualify.

Portugal starting lineup (4-3-3): Pereira (GK) — Borges, C. Costa, D. Gomes, Amado — T Pinto, Dol. Silva, Norton — J. Silva, Nazareth, Dia. Silva.

Portugal subs (12): Morais (GK), R. Costa (GK), Amado, L. Alves, Rebelo, Marchao, Seica, Jacinto, F. Pinto, Mendes, Capeta, Encarnacao.

How to watch USA vs Portugal

  TV channel Streaming
USA Fox, Telemundo Fubo, Fox Sports site/app,
Peacock (Spanish),
Telemundo Deportes site/app
UK IVT1, STV Scotland ITVX, STV Player
Australia  — Optus Sport
Canada TSN1, TSN4,
TSN5		 TSN+,
TSN site/app,
RDS site/app
India DD Sports FanCode
New Zealand Sky Sport 1 NZ Prime TV, Sky Sport NOW
Singapore FIFA WWC CH01 StarHub TV+, meWATCH
Hong Kong Now TV Viu TV
Malaysia  — FIFA+

Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. 

USA vs Portugal betting odds

The United States are the clear favorites in this match, but their poor attacking performances have muted expectations somewhat coming into this Group E finale.

Between the two sides failing to produce significant attacking pressure so far, and the knowledge that the U.S. need just a draw to advance into the knockout stage, the odds clearly favor limited scoring in this game.

MORE: Full betting preview for USA vs. Portugal in Group E finale at 2023 Women's World Cup

  USA
win		 Draw Portugal
win		 Both teams
to score Y / N		 Over / Under
2.5 goals		 USA
-1.5		 POR
+1.5
BetMGM
(USA)		 -375 +450 +1000 +140 / -200 -135 / -105 -130 -110
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)		 -400 +440 +1000 +131 / -208 -132 / -101 -127 -104
SkyBet
(UK)		 2/9 9/2 11/1 6/4, 1/2 4/5, 10/11 — —
Unibet
(Australia)		 1.28 5.80 9.50 2.65 / 1.46 1.85 / 1.91 1.86 1.98
Dafabet
(India)		 1.24 5.10 10.00 2.50 / 1.47 1.80 / 1.90 1.79 1.91

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.