Former United States women’s national team player Carli Lloyd labelled USA’s performance against Portugal “lacklustre” and “uninspiring” as they almost crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages. The defending champions needed to avoid defeat but were inches away from elimination when Portugal substitute Ana Capeta struck the post in stoppage time. The USA held on to scrape a 0-0 draw, enough to secure progress to the last-16 while knocking Portugal out, but the four-time winners missed out on top spot in Group E with Lloyd highly critical of the display from her former side. "I made some comments when I retired in 2021. I felt a shift within this team and federation, the culture and mentality, she said speaking on FOX Soccer. “The importance and meaning from winning has changed, the importance now comes from what comes from winning. “It started to shift post-2020. There are a lot of off-the-field things that are happening but you never want to take anything for granted. You put on that jersey and you want to give it everything you have for the people before you and the people that are going to come after you. “I’m just not seeing that passion. I’m just seeing a very lacklustre, uninspiring, taking it for granted [mentality] where winning and training and doing all that you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening.” After the game, the players were pictured dancing and smiling as well as taking pictures with fans, something that drew further criticism from Lloyd. She said: “There’s a difference between being respectful to the fans and saying hello to your families but to be dancing and smiling...the player of the match was that post, they are lucky to not be going home right now.” Having won their opening game 3-0 against Vietnam, the US have now drawn back-to-back games to finish second in their group for just the second time in the history of the competition. The draws also mark the first time in Women’s World Cup history that the US team has failed to win at least two of their group-stage fixtures. “It’s tough to be second, we wanted to go through first,” Alex Morgan told ITV after the game. “This team gave everything, we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. “In the last few minutes, we had to hold it down and get the result to move on. It’s not the result we wanted but we move forward. It’s just not going in the back of the net. “We have so many corners and we have so many opportunities, we get the crosses. It’s just unlucky. It’s about following through with shots and making the right decisions in front of goal.” The US will now likely face Sweeden in the first round of the knockout stages. Despite the draw, they remain undefeated in their last 18 games at the World Cup, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition. Read More USA’s narrow escape spells the end of Women’s World Cup dominance Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today England vs China LIVE: Women’s World Cup team news and build-up Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? England vs China: Kick-off time and how to watch on TV

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named the 2023 George Halas Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America on Monday.

Lionel Messi was not in the starting lineup for his first Major League Soccer game with Inter Miami, a match at the New York Red Bulls

Jonas Vingegaard said he felt "euphoric" after surviving Saturday's penultimate stage of the Tour de France to virtually clinch...

Opener Travis Head hit a sparkling 137 to power Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup title with a convincing six-wicket win over...

Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and the top ten best players in Premier League history - ranked.

SPRING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2023--

Diogo Jota and Jurgen Klopp explain their tribute to Luis Diaz during Liverpool's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

France are sweating on the fitness of skipper Wendie Renard for their must-win Women's World Cup clash...

A sports integrity monitor has launched a tool to help athletes, coaches and staff anonymously report suspicions about gambling activity to regulators and law enforcement

Justin Verlander pitched six shutout innings, Yordan Alvarez homered twice and the Houston Astros held on for a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins in their AL Division Series opener

Newcastle United FC’s Saudi Arabian owners are considering buying another top football club in Europe, a person with