Portugal 2-0 Vietnam: Telma Encarnacao shines to help keep team's knockout dreams alive with first World Cup win

Portugal beat Vietnam 2-0 to earn Navegadoras their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup win and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the next game.

Portugal made an electric start to the match, with both Jessica Silva and Kika Nazareth coming close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes.

Francisco Neto’s side didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough though, Lucia Alves fired in a delightful cross and Telma Encarnacao was on hand to rifle home to score Portugal’s first ever goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Vietnam struggled to cope with the constant Portuguese pressure in the first half and after 21 minutes they were 2-0 down. Encarnacao turned provider for the second goal, slipping a ball into Nazareth who calmly placed her effort past Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

Vietnam enjoyed their best spell of the half in the last five minutes, springing forward on the break on a couple of occasions. One of Vietnam’s breaks led to a vicious long-range effort from Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy – Vietnam’s first shot on target.

The second half fell into the same pattern as the first, with Portugal dominating the ball and creating chances. Jessica Silva, Encarnacao and Nazareth all had chances to put Portugal 3-0 up but ultimately failed to convert.

Portugal came close to making it 3-0 eight minutes from time when Joana Marchao struck the crossbar with a looping free kick but it wasn't to be and the match ended 2-0.

Qualification was always going to be a tough ask for Portugal in their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, especially after being placed into the Group of Death with the defending champions United States of America and 2019 World Cup finalists the Netherlands but with a win against Vietnam today they have kept their dream alive. Francisco Neto’s side sit in third place on three points, one point behind USA and the Netherlands but know that they would need some shock results to go their way on the final matchday.

Even if Portugal are eliminated at the group stage, the nation have made great strides in the world of women’s football. They’ve now played their first match at a Women’s World Cup, scored their first goal(s) and have won their first match. A brilliant achievement for the Navegadoras.

The 20-year-old shone in her first start at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was at the heart of everything Portugal did in an attacking sense for the 70 minutes she was on the field and took her goal – Portugal’s second of the match – brilliantly. She was smart with the ball, always trying to play through the lines and get her side into advanced positions and her ball carrying was brilliant too, completing five of her six dribbles. This is just the beginning for the highly rated youngster who will no doubt go on to have a brilliant career.

Portugal: Morais 6, Borges 7, Costa 7, Seica 7, Alves 8, Jacinto 8, Pinto 7, Marchao 7, Nazareth 9, Silva 7, Encarnacao 8 Subs: Norton 6, Capeta 6, Mendes 6, Rebelo N/A, Rute N/A

Vietnam: Kim Thanh 7, Thi Loan 6, Thi Thu 6, Diem My 6, Thu Thurong 6, Thu Thao 6, Bich Thuy 7, Thi Van 6, Thi Thao 6, Thanh Nha 6, Huynh 6 Subs: Van Sur 6, Hai Linh 6, Kieu 6, Yen 6

5’ A BIG CHANCE FOR JESSICA SILVA! - Jessica Silva is slipped through into the box but her effort is fired wide of the post. That was a huge chance for Portugal to get their first ever Women's World Cup goal.

6’ OVER FROM KIKA! - Kika Nazareth has her first chance of the match but fires over. She received the ball well on the turn before poking her effort over the bar with the outside of her boot.

7’ GOAL – PORTUGAL - Telma Encarnacao scores Portugal's first ever goal at a FIFA Women's World Cup! Lucia Alves whips in a fantastic cross and Telma is on hand to rifle it home.

21’ GOAL – PORTUGAL - Portugal are 2-0 up! Kika Nazareth is slipped through brilliantly and calmly slides her effort past Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

65’ ALMOST 3-0 FOR PORTUGAL! - Jessica Silva does brilliantly on the left-hand side to check back before clipping a cross to the back post looking for Encarnacao but she couldn't make clean contact.

81’ PORTUGAL STRIKE THE BAR! - Joana Marchao fires in a free kick which crashes off the crossbar.

Vietnam faced 28 shots against the USA and 29 shots against Portugal yet have only conceded five goals.

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