Portugal Women vs USA Women – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
USA face Portugal on Tuesday where the defending champions will attempt to seal their place in the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup 2023.
Portugal have aspirations of reaching the knockout rounds after picking up maximum points on Matchday Two.
Match Preview
Portugal World Cup campaign
Portugal’s 2023 World Cup appearance kicked off with a 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands, before beating Vietnam on Thursday to keep their last-16 hopes alive.
Portugal head into the final game in third position in Group E – with just one point separating them from the Netherlands and the USA.
If they are able to pull off a massive World Cup upset – we’ve seen a few this tournament already – and beat the USA, they will be able to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
A draw will only be enough if the Netherlands suffer an unlikely defeat to Vietnam.
USA World Cup campaign
The USA have won the World Cup five times and they are hunting their third consecutive title.
A narrow goal difference between the USA and the Netherlands leaves them both fighting in the group for top spot.
Their first game saw a 3-0 victory over Vietnam but faced a tougher test against the Netherlands which led to a 1-1 draw.
The USA fell behind in the 17th minute but just after the hour mark, co-captain Lindsey Horan put the ball in the back of the net, ensuring the USA were still able to bag a point from the match.
The USA will only need one point from Tuesday’s fixture. They will also finish top of Group E if they equal or better the Dutch result – the Netherlands face Vietnam at the same time as the USA match.
Team news
Fatima Pinto missed Portugal’s win over Vietnam with a knee problem, and she is expected to remain sidelined for the final group match.
Portugal boss Francisco Neto made a number of changes for Matchday Two, and after claiming all three points, he could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.
After scoring her country’s first-ever goal at a Women’s World Cup, Encarnacao will continue to lead the line alongside Jessica Silva.
As for the USA, Rose Lavelle may have to settle for a substitute role, as she continues to work her way back to full fitness.
Despite having to settle for a draw on Matchday Two, USA boss Vlatko Andonovski is likely to select an unchanged starting XI.
Alex Morgan will continue to lead the line for the USA, and she will be flanked by Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith.
Portugal Women possible starting lineup:
Morais; Borges, Costa, Seica; Alves, Jacinto, T. Pinto, Marchao; Nazareth; J. Silva, Encarnacao
USA Women possible starting lineup:
Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; Sullivan, Demelo, Horan; Rodman, Smith, Morgan
WTX Sports predicts USA 1-2 Portugal
We know its a big call, but this World Cup has already seen some shocking upsets and we feel another is on the way. The USA have still had a bit of a shaky start to this campaign, with a draw and a missed penalty. Portugal have nothing to lose in this game. It’s their first appearance at a World Cup and off the back of a win, we think they’ll have all the momentum.
USA to be knocked out at the Group stage.
