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In round 2 USWNT failed to win a World Cup only for the 2nd time in their last 27 matches. Held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands the defending World Champions now must avoid a defeat vs Portugal to progress. For Portugal, the goal is clear – a win sees them through, and any other result ends their tournament. Can the Portuguese ladies achieve the unthinkable? Or are the USWNT about to ease their way into yet another knockout stage? With the game promising to be exciting here are our USWNT vs Portugal predicted lineups and also the latest USWNT vs Portugal team news.

The game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 01st and will be played in Auckland, New Zealand at Eden Park. The kick-off time is 08:00 GMT. Here are our predictions for USWNT vs Portugal lineups.
USWNT predicted lineup: When Alex Morgan will score?
USWNT had to show character in the repeat clash of the 2019 World Cup final against the Netherlands. The Americans fell behind early but led by their all-inspiring captain Horan they saved a 1-1 draw. Horan has scored in both matches so far. The World Cup debutant Smith also has 2 goals already and the Americans have no problems scoring goals. USWNT are now undefeated in their last 27 World Cup matches (W25 D2).

USWNT team news
Coach Vlatko Andonovski was somewhat pretty optimistic after the last match: “I think we are just going to get better from game to game, and we are going to be a lot more efficient as well.”
The USWNT team news is all positive with the camp enjoying a clean bill of health right now. This will suggest that the gaffer might opt to keep the squad unchanged.
The legendary striker Alex Morgan is starting to feel some pressure and she will be keen to find the back of the net as soon as possible. She’s yet to score in this World Cup and even missed a penalty in the first game.
USWNT Predicted Lineups (4-3-3):
Naeher – Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn – Demelo, Sullivan, Horan – Rodman, Morgan, Smith
Portugal predicted lineup: Is Telma Encarnação the answer?
The World Cup debutants Portugal recorded their first-ever win when beating Vietnam 2-0. Telma Encarnação gave the Portuguese an early lead and despite missing countless chances and hitting the post twice they still found a way to confirm their win.
Encarnação is Portugal’s main hope for goals and she has scored inside the opening 10 minutes in 2 of the last 5 matches. With Portugal needing only a win and having nothing to lose they might play with freedom and aggression from the off.
Portugal team news
Coach Francisco Neto rotated heavily between round 1 and round 2. With the team performing much better in the second game and recording a win now Neto might opt to keep things unchanged. Silva played well in the attack and should start again next to the big star Encarnação.
Here is how we think the Portugal women will line up in this opening game.
Portugal Predicted Lineups (3-4-1-2):
Morais – Borges, Costa, Seica – Alves, Jacinto, T. Pinto, Marchao – Nazareth – J. Silva, Encarnacao
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