USA survive Portugal scare at World Cup as Netherlands top group

Team USA needed to win by a healthy margin to top the grou pbut could only muster a draw, meaning Netherlands claimed first place with two wins and a draw after a 7-0 thrashing of Vietnam. Had the US won, they still would have probably ended second with Netherlands having a superior goal difference by five.

Portugal controlled possession and frustrated the US in with a diamond formation as the Yanks were unable to stretch the Portuguese defence except on a couple of occasions through Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle with Seleccao goalkeeper Ines Pereira proving formidable between the sticks.

The Portuguese almost came away with the three points. In the 91st minute, Ana Capeta, who had just entered the field of play marched through, running onto a flick-on, before lacing a decent low shot that beat US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and clattered the base of the post before bouncing out.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands were utterly dominant, particularly in the first half against Vietnam. Esmee Brugts was the star of the show as she netted a brace, while Lieke Martens, Katja Snoejis, Jill Roord (2), Danielle van de Donk also got on the scoresheet.

The Dutch had scored only once in each of their two previous games but, knowing goal difference could decide the group winners, were 4-0 up inside 25 minutes.

It could be the dawn of a new era as the other sides have clearly narrowed the gulf in class between them and the US, while the Dutch have now emerged as one of the tournament favourites.