Portugal dominated Vietnam 2-0 in front of just 6,645 fans at Waikato Stadium on July 27 to give themselves a chance of advancing to the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals at the first time of asking. Francisco Neto's charges were all over their white-clad opponents like a red rash from the outset, with Jessica Silva blazing a shot past the near post just four minutes into the contest, then beating two players sixty seconds later before setting up Kika Nazareth, whose deft chip drifted narrowly over the bar. An early goal was the least Portugal deserved for their pressure, and it materialised in the seventh minute. Nazareth sent Lucia Alves dashing down the right, from where she delivered a measured cross to the far post. Arriving on cue was Telma Encarnacao, who swept the sphere home in emphatic fashion, affording Vietnamese goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran no chance. Within six minutes, Tran produced saves to deny both Alves and the charismatic Silva, and looked on with relief in the twentieth minute as Andreia Jacinto slammed a shot into the sidenetting. Portugal doubled their lead in the 21st minute, Silva and Encarnacao combining to unleash Nazareth through the heart of Vietnam's defence. Her unerring finish afforded Tran no chance - 2-0. Disappointingly, the European team didn't kick on from this point, despite dominating proceeedings. The scoreline flattered Vietnam, who only threatened to score on two occasions in the shadows of the half-time whistle, with Patricia Morais untroubled in dealing with the efforts of Thi Thao Thai and Thi Bich Thuy Nguyen. Otherwise, it was one-way traffic, with Silva missing a sitter from six yards in the 23rd minute, Jacinto firing past the post, and Tran producing a double-save to deny Encarnacao just shy of the half-hour mark - these were the pick of Portugal's opportunities before half-time. After it, Silva produced some fantastic skill in the 55th minute to beat two opponents on the edge of the penalty area, then deliver an inch-perfect cross for Encarnacao, who directed her volley over the bar. The impressively performed Encarnacao then looked to work a one-two with Nazareth, only for Thi Thu Tran to intervene at the vital moment. Come the 58th minute, a clear handball by Thi Loan Hoang was missed by both the referee and the Video Assistant Referee, while inside the next five

minutes Joana Marchao was inches over with a rasping twenty yarder, before Jacinto rattled the side-netting from a corner. Jacinto sent Silva scooting to the by-line in the 65th minute, the talented striker evading a challenge before chipping the ball invitingly to the far post. Once again, Encarnacao was foiled by Tran the defender. Tran the goalkeeper was in action sixty seconds later, dashing out to block at the feet of Silva as she raced through the inside right channel into the area. The striker was quick to latch onto the rebound, but was instantly taken out by Hoang in the act of shooting. Incredibly, a corner was awarded - how a penalty wasn't defies logic! Again, VAR ignored the blindingly obvious! The set-piece delivery picked out Marchao, whose long-range effort hit the bar, while Nazareth's attempt to turn home the rebound was brilliantly saved by Tran, who tipped the ball over at point-blank range. The goalkeeping Tran earned her keep in the final twenty minutes, punching an Alves cross to safety - a lovely backheel from Encarnacao set up the flank player - before grabbing an Ana Capeta effort. Marchao rattled the crossbar with an 81st minute free-kick, while Andreia Norton headed wide from six yards four minutes later, on receipt of a beautifully measured cross from her captain, Ana Borges, who had swept past two opponents to create the opportunity. Tran thwarted Alves in stoppage time - the goalkeeper has had a great Finals so far, even though the final whistle signalled an early trip home for Vietnam after they've played their last group game against Holland. Portugal, however, have the chance to progress to the last sixteen, but will have to do something they've never previously done - beat the reigning world champions, the USA - if they are to realise that ambition. Silva and company will need to play the game of their lives at Eden Park if that is to happen. Portugal:     Morais; Borges (booked, 86), Costa, Seica (Rebelo, 90); Alves, Nazareth (Capeta, 69), Marchao, Pinto, Jacinto (Rute, 90); Silva (Norton, 69), Encarnacao (Mendes, 75) Vietnam:     K. Tran; Thao Tran, Luong (Chuong, 72), Le, Thu Tran, Hoang; T. Nguyen (Ngan, 64), Duong (L. Tran, 64), Thai, N. Nguyen; Huynh (Pham, 72) Referee;     Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)