US Slips into Round of 16 of Women’s World Cup After Scoreless Draw with Portugal 

Portugal's goalkeeper Ines Pereira makes a stop during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP)
Portugal's goalkeeper Ines Pereira makes a stop during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP)
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US Slips into Round of 16 of Women’s World Cup After Scoreless Draw with Portugal 

Portugal's goalkeeper Ines Pereira makes a stop during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP)
Portugal's goalkeeper Ines Pereira makes a stop during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP)

Megan Rapinoe’s energy as a second-half substitute failed to spark the listless United States, which slipped through to the round of 16 in the Women’s World Cup despite an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday.

The tie helped the United States avoid the biggest upset in tournament history and was just enough to ensure the Americans advanced to the knockout round. The US looked shaky at best in a game the Americans were expected to win.

The Americans, the most successful team ever at the World Cup with four titles, have never been eliminated in the group stage at the World Cup. It's the first time in tournament history that the US won just one game in group play.

The path for the Americans also hinged on the results of the Netherlands match against Vietnam, played simultaneously in Dunedin. With a decisive 7-0 victory, the Netherlands bumped the United States from the top of Group E.

The Americans, the two-time reigning World Cup champions who are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title, move on as the second seed.

Lynn Williams had a chance on a header in the 14th minute, but Portugal goalkeeper Ines Pereira smothered it. While the US controlled possession and had the better chances, the team could not finish and the game was scoreless at the break.

Rose Lavelle picked up a yellow card in the 38th minute, her second of the group stage, and she won’t be available for the team’s round of 16 match.

The frustration of the US fans at Eden Park was evident at the break, when there were scattered boos among the crowd as the teams headed for the tunnel. Early in the second half, a fire alarm went off in the stadium. It turned out to be a malfunctioning sprinkler.

The United States had a free kick from a dangerous spot in the 57th minute, but Alex Morgan’s header popped up well over the goal. She put her hands to her face in exasperation.

Rapinoe came in as a sub in the 61st minute, but the top scorer at the 2019 World Cup couldn’t find that elusive goal.

The Americans had a serious scare in stoppage time when Ana Capeta nearly scored for Portugal, but her shot hit the right post.

US coach Vlatko Andonovski tweaked his starting lineup for the match and started forward Williams and midfielder Lavelle for the first time at this World Cup. He had started Trinity Rodman at forward and Savannah DeMelo in the midfield for the team's first two games.

Lavelle boosted the team when she came in at halftime against the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington when a lackluster opening half sent the Americans into the break down 1-0 to the Dutch. Lavell's corner to Lindsey Horan gave the Americans a 1-1 draw in the match.

But the energy just wasn't there against Portugal and the Americans seemed lost and unorganized for most of the match.

The United States last lost in the group stage to Sweden at the 2011 World Cup, but the Americans still advanced to the final match before losing on penalties to champion Japan.

The Americans have not needed the third and final group-stage match to learn their tournament fate since 2007, when there was a slim chance for elimination.

Going into the match against Portugal, the United States sat atop Group E, even on points with the Netherlands but holding an edge on goal differential.

The United States had won all of the previous 10 matches against Portugal. The Portuguese have never scored against the Americans.

With its decisive victory over Vietnam, the Netherlands heads to Sydney to face the second-place team from Group G, which includes Sweden, South Africa, Italy and Argentina. The United States plays the group's top team.



FIFA Chief Infantino Praises Impact of Expanded Tournaments in Speech to Asian Football Group

A video recording of FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivering his speech is displayed during the 35th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
A video recording of FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivering his speech is displayed during the 35th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
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FIFA Chief Infantino Praises Impact of Expanded Tournaments in Speech to Asian Football Group

A video recording of FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivering his speech is displayed during the 35th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
A video recording of FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivering his speech is displayed during the 35th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 April 2025. (EPA)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised the impact of expanded tournaments in the development of soccer around the world in a video message to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress on Saturday.

Speaking from the United States, host of this year's Club World Cup which will feature 32 teams in June and July instead of the previous seven, Infantino addressed the 46 member associations gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Opportunities to face opponents from different continents don’t come along too often and that is something that we have been trying to change at FIFA,” said Infantino, who has pushed for bigger and new tournaments since taking his position in 2016 in a bid to generate more revenue for the organization’s 211 member associations.

Asia will have four representatives at the Club World Cup: Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Ulsan HD of South Korea and Japan’s Urawa Reds.

“In total, players from more nations will represent their respective countries at this tournament than at all of the FIFA World Cups combined since 1930,” added Infantino. “It is further proof in our desire to make football truly global.”

While there has been some criticism of expanded tournaments in Europe because of the increased demands placed on players, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said Infantino had Asia’s support.

“This is a competition that we have supported as a confederation and a competitive opportunity which our members, and their clubs, have wanted,” the AFC president said.

The United States will also co-host the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada in the first tournament to feature 48 national teams, an increase from 32 in 2022.

“Some teams will break new ground in reaching that competition as a result, not only of the move to 48 teams with eight or even nine Asian teams now being able to qualify, but also a product of the tireless work being done by you all,” added Infantino.

Infantino did not mention Thursday’s proposal by Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer’s ruling body CONMEBOL, that the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by six nations, feature 64 teams in order to mark the centennial celebration of the tournament.

In March, FIFA said it would look into the South American proposal when it was first broached by a Uruguayan official. Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930.

The 1930 World Cup, won by the host Uruguay side, featured 13 teams which did not have to pre-qualify — seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America. Many European teams did not participate because of the difficulty of traveling to South America during the Great Depression.