The ogre is not so much anymore. The ocean liner appears to be leaking water. The United States, champion of the last two World Cups and great favorite in the one that is being played in Australia and New Zealand, yesterday suffered its first major setback in twelve years after drawing against rookie Portugal (0-0) and being about to stay out. For the first time, the Americans do not seem to have the upper hand and their football seems cracked. They no longer feel invincible. They arrived in the southern hemisphere with a record of 13 victories in their last 14 World Cup games, something never seen before, but the group stage has revealed a reality that they did not expect and at the first change they have been a breath away. be lowered by an inferior rival.
The fault lay with a draw against Portugal yesterday, which combined with the equalizer against the Netherlands (1-1) and the victory against Vietnam (3-0), has left them second in the group for the first time in twelve years. . What's more, against the Portuguese they experienced dramatic moments when the Portuguese forward Ana Capeta sent a ball to the post in a one-on-one in added time. A goal would have meant the elimination of the United States and one of the biggest surprises of the championships.
The immediate consequences of that result favor Spain. Plunged into a negative environment after the heavy and worrying defeat against Japan, Vilda's team now finds itself in a situation that surely would have signed with blood before the start of the World Cup. The tie of the all-powerful United States would allow them to avoid them until a hypothetical semifinals.
Four years ago, Spain already tried in the round of 16 the medicine that the Americans apply in this type of championship. That's why, even at its lowest point, it doesn't hurt to avoid such a crossover. The path of Vilda's team, even if it is not easy, appears much clearer. In the round of 16 they will face Switzerland, number 20 in the world and against which, despite the setback against Japan, they should be favorites. Later, in a hypothetical quarterfinal, they could face the Netherlands (9th), one of the candidates for the final victory, Italy (16th), Argentina (28th) or South Africa (54th). A more benevolent scenario than expected.
It is not clear either that the Americans will reach those semifinals, because to all the football doubts they showed against Portugal, we must add that in the round of 16 they will face Sweden, third in the last championship. The confrontation between these teams is the great classic of the World Cups. It is the most repeated match, six times in eight editions, and no one has put the Americans in as much trouble as the Nordics. In fact, they are the last team that has managed to defeat them in a World Cup, 12 years ago now, although their overall balance is negative: four defeats, one draw and one victory. Despite this, if anyone can stop this ocean liner, which seems to have lost its way, it is the team led by Barça player Fridolina Rolfö.
