The U.S. Women's National Team is in danger of making the wrong kind of history.
For the first time since 2007, the team is entering the final game of the group stage with its spot to move on to the World Cup knockout rounds still in question. And as the U.S. is set to face Portugal early Tuesday morning, a victory or a tie will push the tournament favorites through.
While a loss to Portugal wouldn't necessarily spell the end for the USWNT at the World Cup — they could still technically advance with a Vietnam victory over the Netherlands that preserves the U.S.'s lead in goal differential — it's an unlikely result; Vietnam is in its first World Cup and has yet to score a goal.
The USWNT, four-time World Cup champions, have never failed to reach the semifinals of the tournament and have never been eliminated in the group stage at either a World Cup or Olympics.
However, should a shocking result occur and the U.S. gets eliminated, here are some of the other favorites to win the World Cup:
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women's World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
Already through to the Round of 16, Spain will need to erase the memory of an ugly 4-0 loss at the hands of fellow Group C contenders Japan. The team had previously not conceded a single goal in New Zealand, as star Alexia Putellas — a two-time Ballon d'Or winner — continues her return to form from a knee injury.
Spain will face Switzerland Saturday in the Round of 16.
While England still has one more group stage match to go — it will face China on Tuesday (7 a.m. ET) — a tie or a victory will see the side win Group D. Still, it hasn't necessarily been easy for England, who have scratched out a pair of 1-0 victories against Denmark and Haiti, two squads that were not expected to factor in the World Cup. The Lionesses are dealing with the knee injury of midfielder Keira Walsh, who was carted off the pitch during England's victory against Denmark.
The German side still has considerable work to do after Colombia pulled off a 2-1 upset victory with defender Manuela Vanegas' game-winning goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Germany is now sitting in second place in Group H with three points, though it has a considerable goal differential (+5) margin over Morocco (-5), which also has three points. Germany will play South Korea on Thursday (6 a.m. ET) in its final game of the group stage.
As of Monday afternoon, these are the current futures odds for the winner of the 2023 World Cup, according to Draft Kings.
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