FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants Portugal recorded a historic first success in such a forum, defeating Vietnam by 2-0 in a Group E match played in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The Portuguese exerted early pressure and quickly got to a goal. In the seventh minute, Lucia Alves crossed to Telma Encarnacao, who gave her team the lead with a nice shot. The attacks of Portugal continued and the second goal was not late. It came in the 21st minute when Francisca Nazareth was on target with a shot on the ground. In the second half, the Iberian women were even more dominant and fired as many as 19 shots to the target, but almost all of them were inaccurate, which is why the team was unable to score more goals. Telma Encarnacao wasted three great chances to score another goal and Joana Marchao had the misfortune of hitting the crossbar twice.
With this victory, the third in the group Portugal won their first three points and kept their chances for the elimination phase of the tournament.
However, Vietnam is left without an asset, so it will certainly not move forward. The leaders are the USA and the Netherlands, who have 4 points each, and the goal difference of the American women is better. The final group games on Tuesday pit Portugal against the USA and the Netherlands against Vietnam.
