Stephen Dunmoye
The Portugal Women defeated Cameroon with a penalty kick in the stoppage time as they qualified to make debut in the Football Women’s World Cup hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
The Portuguese will face reigning world champions the United States, 2019 finalists Netherlands and Vietnam in Group E at the World Cup.
New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting the tournament in July-August.
Carole Costa was the hero, holding her nerve from the penalty spot in Portugal’s playoff against Cameroon in Hamilton to give them a dramatic 2-1 win deep in stoppage time.
Diana Gomes had given Portugal the lead in the first half, only for Ajara Nchout Njoya to level for Cameroon in the 89th minute.
The last qualifying spot will be decided Thursday when Paraguay face Panama. The winners will meet France, Jamaica and Brazil in Group F.
Similarly, Haiti thrashed Chile in a play-off tournament that took place in New Zealand which made them qualify for football’s FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in history.
They join England, Denmark and China in Group D of the World Cup, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Haiti, ranked 55th in the world, will face European champions England in their opening match in Brisbane on July 22.
The match was the first of three finals at the play-off tournament to decide the final spots at the World Cup.
