Encarnação and Nazareth give Portugal lift-off and end Vietnam’s World Cup hopes

ON THE RISE: Kika Nazareth of Portugal celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between Portugal and Vietnam. Pic: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Portugal’s Telma Encarnação scored one goal and set up the other in a comfortable win over their fellow Women’s World Cup debutants Vietnam, sending the south-east Asian side out of the tournament at Waikato Stadium on Thursday.

Portugal are third in Group E with three points and will face the USA in their final group game in Auckland while Vietnam, yet to score or pick up a point, take on the Netherlands in Dunedin. Both matches will be played on Tuesday. The USA are level on four points with the Netherlands but top the table on goal difference after the teams drew 1-1 earlier on Thursday.