Portugal grab last gasp equaliser to deny USA famous win

Alam Khan - Reporter 05:22 23/06/2014
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  • Captain America: Clint Dempsey wheels away after scoring the USA’s second with Portugal goalkeeper Beto appealing for an offside.

    Clint Dempsey and the USA were within 10 seconds of a place in the last 16, but a moment of magic from Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal from a World Cup exit. 

    In a dramatic finale and the Americans 2-1 up, his brilliant cross picked out Silvestre Varela for a thumping header and leveller in the fifth minute of injury time. 

    Jurgen Klinsmann’s outfit were stunned after they had wiped out Nani’s opener through Jermaine Jones and then Dempsey, who had bundled in with his chest. 

    The USA now take on Germany with both sides needing just a point to progress while Portugal – who have an inferior goal difference – must beat Ghana to be within any chance of reaching the next stage. 

    Ronaldo’s first touch in Manaus was nowhere near as classy as his final one, as a second-minute pass to Joao Pereira went straight out of play. But he followed that with some dazzling ball control and outrageous tricks that instigated the fifth-minute goal. 

    As the ball was subsequently worked down the left side, Miguel Veloso’s low cross was met by an awful clearance from US defender Geoff Cameron that sliced straight to an unmarked Nani.

    From 10 yards out, and showing uncharacteristic composure, the winger waited for Tim Howard to commit himself before blasting into the net. 

    The Americans paid the price for being sloppy at the start – unlike their 29-second opener in the 2-1 win over Ghana – but settled down and started to cause problems of their own. 

    Clint Dempsey, in a lone frontline role with Jozy Altidore injured, and Graham Zusi brought in to bolster midfield, was their main threat yet again as three times he came close to levelling.

    In the 13th minute, he was unlucky when a 25-yard free kick dipped, but not enough as it just cleared the bar. Then he broke well down the right and drove a shot against the legs of Beto in the Portuguese goal before lobbing over from the resulting corner. 

    Michael Bradley then fired over from distance before Fabian Johnson sent a ferocious effort wide. Ronaldo had been quiet but tamely tested Howard before curling a free kick well over the bar. 

    Despite the US pressure, it was Portugal who almost snatched a second before the break when Nani’s shot hit the post and when Eder, a replacement for the injured Helder Postiga, shot goalwards, Howard clawed it away superbly. 

    If that was considered a crucial moment in the game, then another followed in the 55th minute. After Portugal had started well and Eder drove over, the US came agonisingly close.

    Johnson was again involved as he swept into the box and played a pass perfectly into the path of Bradley, whose finish was somehow blocked on the line by Ricardo Costa with his knee. 

    Yet Jurgen Klinsmann’s men did not let that affect them. Even though Ronaldo stampeded forward and fired wide, they maintained their pressure and Jones deservedly levelled. 

    Stepping inside Nani, his 20-yard shot swerved around a defender and past a stunned Beto. Back came Portugal as Howard denied Meireles moments later. 

    In keeping with the theme of this tournament so far, it was thrilling end-to-end action. And the American dream was well and truly on when they took an 82nd minute lead. 

    Substitute DeAndre Yedlin found space on the right and when Bradley’s shot was deflected into the path of Zusi who steered it into Dempsey and he casually chested it into the empty net.

    However, there was to be a late twist in the dying seconds as Ronaldo whipped in a wonderful cross which was met by Verala to deny the USA another memorable victory. 

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