USA stumble into knockout stages after 0-0 draw with Portugal

The United States won only one game in in the group stage for the first time in tournament history.

STALEMATE: Portugal's Jessica Silva, left, and United States' Crystal Dunn battle for the ball. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

The United States reached the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Portugal on Tuesday, surviving a late onslaught from the tournament debutants to keep their title defence alive at Eden Park.

The four-times champions were playing with everything on the line but spurned several chances to find the net and the addition of veteran Megan Rapinoe in the second half did little to turn things around against a physical Portugal defence.