Soccer-Heartbroken Portugal exit World Cup with heads held high

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group E - Portugal v United States - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 1, 2023 Portugal's Ines Pereira and Carole Costa look dejected after the match as Portugal are knocked out of the World Cup REUTERS/David Rowland

AUCKLAND (Reuters) - Only the woodwork stood between Portugal and soccer immortality at the Women's World Cup on Tuesday, but manager Francisco Neto said he was still proud of his players who exit the tournament after their goalless draw with the United States.

The four-times winners U.S. reached the knockout stages after holding off the debutants, as they spurned several chances to score at Auckland's Eden Park.