Women’s World Cup: Holders US stumble into World Cup last 16 but England, Dutch run riot
Holders the United States squeezed into the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday with a nervy 0-0 draw against Portugal but England and the Netherlands powered through with big wins.
The United States came to Australia and New Zealand as favourites — ahead of European champions England — to win an unprecedented third World Cup in a row.
But they have been nothing like the team that has dominated international women’s football for so long and they will need to be a lot better if they are to go much further at the tournament.
Debutants Portugal came within inches of the win they needed to progress — and dump out the Americans — when substitute Ana Capeta hit the post in injury time in front of almost 41 000 in Auckland.
But the US held on and are likely to face a Sweden team in the last 16 who thrashed Italy 5-0 in their last match.
US coach Vlatko Andonovski attempted to put a positive spin on what was an alarmingly poor performance by the team ranked number one in the Fifa rankings.
The Netherlands, who drew 1-1 with the US last week in a rerun of the 2019 final, racked up the biggest win of this World Cup with a 7-0 demolition of already eliminated Vietnam.
Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord both scored twice for the Dutch, who topped Group E with seven points. The US were second with one win and two draws — they have never before won just one group game.
In Group D, England overran China 6-1 to sail through as group winners and set up a meeting with Nigeria in the last 16.
Denmark join them from the group after defeating Haiti 2-0 and will face co-hosts Australia.
Chelsea star Lauren James got a brace for England and was at the centre of everything that was good about Sarina Wiegman’s team.
After stodgy 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark, England let loose, albeit against limited opposition and Asian champions China.
