However, the US finished second in Group E to Netherlands, a 7-0 winner over Vietnam. The Dutch won twice in addition to their draw with the US, while the US team won once and tied two games.

The US will play on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, against the Group G winner, likely Sweden, ranked third in the world. The Netherlands will face the Group G runner-up, possibly world No 16 Italy, on Saturday in Sydney, Australia.

Ines Pereira made six saves for Portugal, including a stop on an Alex Morgan shot from the centre of the box in the 84th minute. Portugal had no shots on goal, but Ana Capeta hit the right post in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

Needing only a tie to move on, the US could not shake the Portuguese (1-1-1, four points), who had to win to advance.

The only other time in nine World Cups that the US did not win its group was in 2011.

Entering the day, the US and the Netherlands were tied atop Group E with four points, but the Americans held the goal-differential tiebreaker. Now, they will rue a lacklustre 3-0 win over Vietnam in the opener followed by a 1-1 tie with Netherlands.

The US (1-0-2, five points) faced the prospect of being eliminated in the group stage for the first time in nine World Cups with a loss and the Dutch defeating Vietnam.

It almost happened in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when Capeta nearly produced one of the biggest upsets in Women’s World Cup history.

There were two changes to the US lineup from the first two matches. Rose Lavelle started in the midfield for Savannah DeMelo, while Lynn Williams got the nod up top over Trinity Rodman.

Williams had all four US shots on goal in the first half, including a strike from the top of the box just before the break.

Lavelle’s second yellow card of the tournament in the 39th minute means she will miss the next match.