The defending champions USA Women will attempt to seal their place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup 2023 when they go head-to-head with Portugal Women on Tuesday.

The Selecao das Quinas also have aspirations of reaching the knockout rounds after picking up maximum points on Matchday Two.

Match preview

© Reuters

After beginning their first Women's World Cup finals appearance with a 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands, Portugal kept their last-16 hopes alive with a win over Vietnam on Thursday.

Telma Encarnacao opened the scoring for the Selecao das Quinas, before Kika Nazareth added a second in the 21st minute to put her country in complete control.

Despite hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions and racking up a total of 29 attempts, Portugal were unable to add to their two-goal tally, but they would have still been pleased to claim their first victory at a Women's World Cup.

As a result of the win, Portugal will head into the final game in third position in Group E with one point separating them from the Netherlands and the USA.

They will secure a place in the knockout rounds if they cause a major upset and beat the USA, while a draw will only be enough if the Netherlands suffer an unlikely defeat to Vietnam.

© Reuters

The USA, who have won the World Cup a record five times, will Tuesday's contest in top spot due to their narrow goal-difference advantage over the Netherlands.

After cruising to a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Matchday One, the USA were given a much tougher test when they faced the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 final.

The Stars and Stripes trailed at the break following Jill Roord's 17th-minute effort, but they managed to restore parity just after the hour mark through Lindsey Horan, ensuring that the contest finished in a 1-1 draw.

Having reached the knockout rounds at all eight previous editions of the Women's World Cup, USA knows that they only need a point from Tuesday's fixture to continue that impressive record.

They will also finish Group E in first place if they equal or better the Dutch result, with the Oranje set to face Vietnam on Matchday Three

Team News

© Reuters

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 visitors, 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 defending champions, 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

We say: Portugal Women 0-2 USA Women

Portugal will be looking to cause one of the biggest shocks in Women's World Cup history, but we think that their hopes of reaching the last 16 will be quashed by the record winners, who should have enough quality to claim all three points with minimum fuss.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email