Portugal 2 – 0 Vietnam | Group E
Goalscorers: Telma Encarnacao (7′), Kika Nazareth (21′)
Portugal kept alive their FIFA Women’s World Cup™ hopes and ensured Vietnam were eliminated in the process after a 2-0 win at Waikato Stadium.
First-half goals from Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth secured a first Women’s World Cup win for Portugal after a dominant display in Hamilton.
Portugal could have been in front inside the opening five minutes after Jessica Silva and Nazareth both missed when clear inside the penalty area.
But they did take the lead on seven minutes when Portugal worked the ball well down the right-hand side before Lucia Alves crossed for the unmarked Encarnacao to finish from close range.
The lead was increased on 21 minutes when Nazareth was played through on goal. She took a touch before rolling the ball past Thi Kim Thanh Tran to double the European’s advantage.
Further chances came and went for Portugal, with Silva denied by Tran in the second half moments before Nazareth fired straight at the Vietnam goalkeeper after Joana Marchao’s shot looped up onto the crossbar.
Portugal will now face USA in their final Group E game knowing victory over the holders would secure a last-16 spot.
