England fans celebrate at Boxpark as Lionesses score against Denmark in World Cup
England and the United States will look to book their place in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup as the group stage deciders continue in Australia and New Zealand.
The Lionesses face China in their final fixture of Group D, with the Lionesses knowing that a win or a draw would be enough to seal top spot and confirm a meeting with Nigeria in the last-16.
Sarina Wiegman’s side will be without key midfielder Keira Walsh and their hopes of reaching the knockout stages will be in danger should they lose to China, with Denmark facing Haiti for the other qualification spot. You can see the best tips, predictions and bets for England vs China, here.
Elsewhere, the United States must avoid defeat to Portugal in order to advance to the last-16 and keep their title defence alive. Defeat would see the defending champions eliminated, with Netherlands facing Vietnam in the other Group E decider.
Follow the latest World Cup scores, updates and news in today’s live blog:
Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA
8 mins: Over in Dunedin the Netherlands have taken the lead against Vietnam meaning they’ve moved to the top of Group E as it stands.
Portugal have a throw in that is flung towards Tatiana Pinto. Pinto lays it off to the edge of the box where Andreia Norton shoots and smokes her effort over the crossbar.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 08:10
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA
5 mins: Close! Rose Lavelle drifts into space and is fed the ball as she bursts into the right side of the box. She’s out wide but cuts a pass into the near post where Alex Morgan gets ahead of her marker and turns the ball towards goal.
There’s a slight deflection which saves Portgual and knocks the ball out for the first corner of the game. It’s whipped in but bounces out for a goal kick having hit a US shirt last.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 08:05
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA
3 mins: Portugal will be up against it. Despite their draw with the Netherlands, the US are still the hot favourites to go on and win the World Cup.
They’re a team of winners and just look sharper than anyone else when they play – even when they play badly. They can be beaten though and Portugal will need to believe they can win.
Diana Silva lifts a cross into the US box but Naomi Girma is there to nod it clear.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 08:03
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal 0-0 USA
The United States get the match underway. This is a big one, win and they’re through, lose and they’re out. It’s as simple as that. They send the ball long down the right side and win it in the air.
A quick cross comes into the box and Alex Morgan attacks it. She’s unable to win the header and Portugal are awarded a free kick just outside their own box after a clearance.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 08:01
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
There’s a determined focus written all over the faces of the US players. Portugal look at ease, they seem to be enjoying the stage and the possibility to reach the last-16.
The national anthems are sung and kick off is up next.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:56
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
The USA have only ever lost one group game at the Women’s World Cup. That was in 2011 when Sweden defeated them 2-1 and topped the group.
If they lose for a second time today, it will be the biggest shock of the tournament so far and they’ll be heading home.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:53
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
Can Portugal actually knock the USA out of the World Cup?
In their World Cup opener Portugal were narrowly beaten by the Netherlands but they impressively defeated Vietnam 2-0 to set up a chance at reaching the knockout rounds.
They face-off with reigning champions the United States for a last-16 spot today. Portugal will progress to the knockout stages if they cause a giant upset and beat the four-time winners.
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:50
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
The USA’s match against Portugal is now “a must perform, must win,” game says Megan Rapinoe.
“We go into these moments like, ‘Hell yeah, this is exactly where we want to be,’” she said. “You could feel it in the second half, even, of the game against the Netherlands, that’s coming, you know that it’s coming.
“For us, we’re excited, we’re unsatisfied with the way that we’ve played, but we know the areas that we can be better and I think there are some really simple fixes that we can do to put ourselves in a better position to have more joy on the ball, especially in the final third.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:45
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
There’s a good showing from the United States fans in Auckland for this match. It’s a crucial one for the reigning champions who need to win to ensure they make it into the knockout rounds.
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:41
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Women’s World Cup LIVE: Portugal vs USA
Portugal have made a few changes from the side that earned a historic first World Cup win against Vietnam. Goalkeeper Ines Pereira, defender Diana Gomes and the experienced Dolores Silva all come back into the starting XI.
Vlatko Andonovski makes his first changes of the tournament after naming the same USA team for the first two games.
Rose Lavelle, who had not played since April before this tournament because of a knee injury, starts after coming off the bench against the Netherlands.
Forward Lynn Williams gets her first taste of this World Cup as Savannah DeMelo and Trinity Rodman drop out.
Mike Jones1 August 2023 07:37
