Women’s World Cup: Portugal stay alive with win over Vietnam

Portugal have given themselves an outside chance of reaching the Women’s World Cup last-16 with a 2-0 win over Vietnam.

Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth goals gave Portugal their first ever win at the tournament.

Portugal will progress if they earn an unlikely win over reigning champions USA in the final group game. A draw could be enough if Vietnam beat the Netherlands.

For Vietnam, their exit at the group stage has been confirmed after they lost their opening match to the United States.

Portugal went two goals up within the opening 21 minutes. Encarnacao met Lucia Alves’ cross to finish from six yards, before 20-year-old Nazareth doubled the lead when she rolled the ball past Kim Tranh after Encarnacao’s through-ball.

Vietnam offered little in attack but did get their first shot on target of the tournament – Bich Thuy’s shot was saved by Patricia Morais.

It was Portugal who could have increased their lead though. Tranh pulled off two great saves to deny Encarnacao a second and Joana Marchao twice hit the woodwork.

Earlier in the day, the Netherlands held USA to a 1-1 draw as both sides sit on four points going into the final group game.

Cover Photo: Bandera de Portugal” by José Carlos Cortizo Pérez is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .