Portugal Knocks Vietnam Out of Women's World Cup

Portugal players celebrate victory after the final whistle of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group E football match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 27, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Portugal players celebrate victory after the final whistle of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group E football match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 27, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
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Portugal Knocks Vietnam Out of Women's World Cup

Portugal players celebrate victory after the final whistle of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group E football match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 27, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Portugal players celebrate victory after the final whistle of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group E football match between Portugal and Vietnam at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on July 27, 2023. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Telma Encarnacao scored one goal and assisted on another as Portugal defeated Vietnam 2-0 on Thursday in the Women’s World Cup, a win that ensured Vietnam will not advance to the knockout stage.

Portugal jumped ahead in the seventh minute following a quick series of decisive passes through the Vietnamese defense. Lucia Alves dropped in a perfect cross to Encarnacao at the top of the six-yard box for a simple finish, The Associated Press reported.

Portugal still has a shot to advance out of the group stage but will need to win or draw against the United States, with a Netherlands loss next Tuesday against Vietnam.

Just 14 minutes later, Portugal turned a goal kick from Vietnam into a chance, taking possession and moving downfield. Encarnacao slipped the ball to Kika Nazareth as she raced through defenders, and the 20-year-old forward slotted the second goal of the night to the left of goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

Portugal avoided its own elimination and still has a shot to advance out of the group stage but will need to win or draw against the United States, with a Netherlands loss next Tuesday against Vietnam.

Portugal coach Francisco Neto held out seven starters from its 1-0 loss to the Netherlands, including 31-year-old captain Dolores Silva and goalkeeper Ines Pereira. Both Encarnacao and Nazareth came off the bench in the loss to the Dutch; both started in the win over Vietnam.

About 6,650 fans turned out to Waikato Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,009. The crowd was mostly Vietnamese fans, but it was the Portuguese contingent that made all the noise.

Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy was the lone bright spot for Vietnam. The right winger looked threatening the few times the Golden Star Women Warriors found themselves on the attack but couldn’t produce a goal.

KEY MOMENT
In its second Women’s World Cup match, Portugal got its very first Women’s World Cup goal.

It stemmed from a dazzling sequence that moved Portuguese players into the final third of the pitch with time and space. Alves teed up Encarnacao with an inch-perfect cross, and the forward easily delivered the goal.

WHY IT MATTERS
With its first-ever Women’s World Cup win, tournament newcomer Portugal stays in third place in Group E, just a point behind the United States and the Netherlands. To qualify for the round of 16, the Portuguese need a win or a draw, paired with a Netherlands loss, on the final matchday.

Vietnam is out of contention for the knockout rounds, and the Golden Star Women Warriors are still without a goal in their first Women’s World Cup.

WHAT’S NEXT
Portugal plays its next match in Auckland against the reigning world champion and group leader United States.
Vietnam, meanwhile, faces a daunting finish to its first tournament in Dunedin against the Netherlands.



Premier League Opens Office in Mumbai 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
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Premier League Opens Office in Mumbai 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

The English Premier League is expanding its global footprint with the opening of a new office in Mumbai, strengthening its commitment to one of football's most passionate fan bases.

The Mumbai hub will build on nearly two decades of Premier League engagement in India, where the League has run grassroots initiatives since 2007 through its Premier Skills program, supporting thousands of coaches and young people in 18 states.

At elite level, the Premier League has collaborated with the Indian Super League since 2014, sharing expertise in governance and development. Their joint Next Gen Cup youth tournament will feature its sixth edition in Mumbai next May, featuring ISL youth teams competing against Premier League Under-19 sides.

"We and our clubs have a fantastic and knowledgeable fanbase in India, and we know football continues to grow in popularity," Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said.

"Opening this office marks a significant milestone for the Premier League. It will allow us to operate more effectively locally as we build on our existing work to establish more ways to strengthen our relationship with fans."

The Premier League established offices in Singapore (2019), New York (2023) and Beijing (2024) as part of its global strategy of strengthening local partnerships and combating content piracy.