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Phil Walter/Getty Images
Telma Encarnaҫão scored Portugal’s first World Cup goal in Hamilton.
At Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: Portugal 2 (Telma Encarnaҫão 7’, Kika Nazareth 21’) Vietnam 0. HT: 2-0.
Group E points (games played): United States 4 (2), Netherlands 4 (2), Portugal 3 (2), Vietnam 0 (2).
Portugal made history in Hamilton with their first FIFA Women’s World Cup win after beating Vietnam 2-0 on a freezing Thursday night.
Five months ago, the Portuguese went wild at Waikato Stadium after overcoming Cameroon 2-1 to qualify for their first World Cup.
The venue will always be remembered fondly by Francisco Neto’s team after a comfortable victory which gives them a shot of progressing to the round of 16 in New Zealand.
They will need to upset the United States at Eden Park on Tuesday to advance from group E, which seems unlikely, but their quality in possession could trouble the world champions.
Neto made several changes in an underwhelming second half with their crunch match against the United States in mind.
Vietnam, despite their endeavour and the backing of their noisy, passionate fans, were eliminated on their World Cup debut after defeats to the United States and Portugal.
They never gave up but struggled to stop Portugal’s slick, quick passing and only fleetingly threatened to attack on the break.
Portugal lost their World Cup opener 1-0 to the Netherlands and didn’t have a shot until the 82nd minute in Dunedin last Sunday.
They only had to wait seven minutes to celebrate their first World Cup goal in front of 6,645 in Hamilton.
It was Telma Encarnaҫão who claimed that piece of history before Kika Nazareth added a crucial second in the first half.
With their speed and strength, young forwards Encarnaҫão and Nazareth were a menace for Vietnam’s defence, who couldn’t match them physically.
Portugal would have had more had it not been for more heroics from Vietnam keeper Tran Thị Kim Thanh and some poor finishing.
Star forward Jéssica Silva showed glimpses of her skill but had a largely frustrating night, while Andreia Jacinto and Tatiana Pinto controlled the game from midfield.
Vietnam’s attempts to press high and unsettle Portugal’s defenders often backfired. It left their defence exposed to the Portuguese midfielders flooding forward once another neat pass went through Vietnam.
A tactical switch to sit deeper after half-time meant Portugal struggled to break Vietnam down and a third goal never came.
Joana Marchão hit the bar and Portugal’s frustrations were clear when captain Ana Borges was issued a late yellow card for a cynical foul.
Vietnam’s loud supporters were on their feet in the first minute when Hoang Thi Loan won a free-kick near Portugal’s area.
More luck from the resulting corner and Vietnam might have stunned Portugal with a shock opener, as the “Vietnam, Vietnam” chants echoed around the ground.
Any positive action from a Vietnamese player, such as a tackle, a successful dribble or even closing down the Portuguese, was cheered vociferously.
They were briefly silenced when Encarnaҫão buried Portugal’s opener from Lúcia Alves’ excellent run and cross.
Silva and Nazareth had already missed simple chances as Portugal looked like scoring with most attacks in the first half.
Nazareth didn’t waste her next opportunity from Encarnaҫão’s delicate pass, scoring a clinical second that effectively ended the contest after 21 minutes.
Vietnam’s slim chances of achieving an historic result at their first World Cup doesn’t get easier. They play the Netherlands, the 2019 runners-up, in Dunedin on Tuesday.
They repelled waves of attacks in the second half and disrupted Portugal but couldn’t escape their half.
Portugal march on but will need to play the game of their lives to make more history against the United States.
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