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≡ PORTUGAL 2, U.S. MEN 0 ≡
The U.S. men took the field against no. 6 Portugal on Tuesday, again in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium with six changes from his line-up in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to Belgium, and as with the start of the Belgium game, the U.S. generated chances.
Portugal did not have Cristiano Ronaldo on the field, as was the case with their 0-0 draw with Mexico last Saturday. The crowd of 72,297 was especially loud for a strong strike from U.S. midfield star Christian Pulisic in the 36th minute, which just missed the left edge of the Portugal goal from just outside the box.
On the ensuing possession, a U.S. turnover in the midfield led to a Portugal break into the U.S. box and veteran forward Bruno Fernandes backheeled the ball to running mate Francisco Trincao, who sent a perfect shot from the middle of the box past a diving U.S. keeper Matt Freese for a 1-0 lead in the 37th.
Portugal had the ball for 62% of the time in the half, but it was the U.S. that generated eight shots – three by Pulisic – to just three for Portugal. The Americans had three changes at half, and Portugal brought in seven new players (11 substitutes allowed in this friendly).
The chances were more limited at the start of the half, but Portugal struck again in the 59th, as from a Fernandes corner, substitute forward Joao Felix was able to take the ball down at the top of the box, set up and send a bounding ball to the far left corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.
The U.S. had no ability at all to create solid chances on offense and Portugal, even with so many changes, found holes in the American defense and got several more good looks at Freese.
But there were no more goals and the game ended 2-0, with Portugal steady at 62% possession and more shots in the second half to leave the U.S. with a 12-11 edge.
The U.S. has two more friendlies prior to the World Cup, against Senegal on 31 May in Charlotte, North Carolina, and against Germany on 6 June in Chicago.
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The remainder of the World Cup qualifying was concluded on Tuesday, with some amazing results to complete the field of 48:
● For Group A: Czech Republic defeated Denmark, 3-1 on penalties, after a 2-2 tie, in Prague (CZE). The Czechs will join Mexico, South Africa and South Korea, in their first World Cup since 2006. .
● For Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina defeated Italy by 4-1 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie, in Zenica (BIH). Bosnia & Herzegovina, in the World Cup for the second time, will join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. The Italians – four-time champions – will have missed three World Cups in a row.
● For Group D: Turkey defeated Kosovo, 1-0, in Prishtina (KOS). The Turks will join the U.S., Australia and Paraguay. It’s Turkey’s first appearance since finishing third in 2002, and third all-time.
● For Group F: Sweden defeated Poland, 3-2, in Stockholm (SWE). The Swedes will play with Japan, the Netherlands and Tunisia.
● For Group I: Iraq vs. Bolivia in Guadalupe (MEX), to join France, Norway and Senegal. The result will be added when available.
● For Group K: Democratic Republic of the Congo beat Jamaica, 1-0, after extra time, in Guadalajara (MEX), joining Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan. It’s the second-ever appearance for the D.R. Congo in the World Cup.
In terms of 48 teams by region, Europe leads with 16, followed by Africa (10), Asia (8), CONCACAF and South American (6 each) and Oceania (1) (plus the winner of Bolivia/South America or Iraq/Asia).
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