The United States Women’s National team is through to the Round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup after playing Portugal to a scoreless draw early Tuesday morning.

While The Netherlands won Group E with a 7-0 win over Vietnam, the Stars and Stripes had to fight off a dangerous Portugal side that nearly found a winner in the first minute of second half stoppage time.

Portugal substitute Ana Capeta was in on goal and fired a shot past Alyssa Naeher that hit the outside of the right post and bounced out of danger. The goal would’ve sent Portugal through instead of the two-time defending champs, which advanced with five points from a win and two draws.

The U.S. out-shot Portugal 17-6 and did not allow a shot on net, but once again struggled to turn quality scoring opportunities into goals. The physical match featured six yellow cards - three for each team - and was tightly contested as both sides looked to break the other down in front of an electric crowd of 42,958 fans, marking a record crowd for a soccer match at Eden Park, New Zealand’s National Stadium. 

U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle received a yellow in the 39th minute - her second in as many games - and will miss the Round of 16 match on Sunday.

The U.S. will face the Group G winner in the game, which will likely be Sweden. Sunday’s match will be played at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Notes:

•  The USA has now advanced out of the group in all nine of its trips to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The second-place finish in the group marks the second time the team has finished second in its group, last doing so in 2011 when the Americans went on to reach the final.
• Lynn Williams made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut as she earned her 24th career start and 54th cap overall for the USA. Williams became the ninth player to make her debut for the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Megan Rapinoe came into the match as a substitute in the 61st minute, replacing Sophia Smith, to earn her 201st cap and 19th Women’s World Cup appearance.
• Emily Sonnett came into the match for Horan in the 84th minute, earning her second career World Cup appearance and first of 2023.
• Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned her sixth Women’s World Cup shutout. The match was her 10th World Cup appearance and start.
• Alyssa Naeher, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz and Andi Sullivan have played every minute of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Kelley O’Hara made her 12th Women’s World Cup appearance after coming into the match in the seventh minute of extra time for Crystal Dunn.
• Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Thompson made her second Women’s World Cup appearance after coming into the match for Alex Morgan in the seventh minute of stoppage time.