ENGLAND, the United States and the Netherlands will attempt to seal knockout stage places at the Women’s World Cup as Group D and Group E wrap up on Tuesday.
European champions England have snatched 1-0 victories from their first two games and will move into the last 16 as Group D winners if they avoid defeat against China, but a heavy loss could see the Lionesses eliminated.
The USA beat the Netherlands in the 2019 World Cup final, but both are battling out in Group E this time around. They have four points each and will be looking for convincing wins against Portugal and Vietnam respectively on day 13 of the tournament in an effort to progress as group winners.
The United States are the top-ranked nation and have always reached at least the semi-finals, winning the World Cup four times, including the past two tournaments in 2015 and 2019.
They began the 2023 campaign with a 3-0 win over Vietnam before being held to a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2019 final.
If the Dutch avoid defeat against already-eliminated Vietnam, then the United States would be out if they lose to Portugal, ranked 21st in the world.
Two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe relishes such pressure.
“I’m excited, we have a must-perform, must-win type of game,” said the 38-year-old American playmaker, who has said this will be her last season before retiring.
“It’s a pressure moment, that’s what the tournament is from now on, every match is a pressure moment and that’s the best part of being at a World Cup.
“We have to perform better and get this result. We go into these moments like ‘hell, yeah’.”
Tournament debutants Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0 for their first victory, with the Netherlands facing the Asian nation in their last group match. If both the United States and the Netherlands win, it will come down to goal difference to see who tops the group.
Netherlands coach Andries Jonker said his side were looking for goals but not underestimating Vietnam.
“We’re going on the attack. One of our objectives is to play attractive football and inspire, but our primary objective is to win,” said Jonker.
“We have a lot of respect for Vietnam, they’re a good team. We have never shown any arrogance and we won’t now.”
Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis’ prediction for Portugal v United States: “The USA will go through if they avoid defeat and although they have made a slow start, I can’t see them having too many problems.
“The defending champions are one of the teams I’m expecting to ramp it up as the World Cup goes on, because they have a lot of younger players who are taking part in their first tournament and learning the ropes: 1-3.”