SM
Spurs vs. Arsenal: 4 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
UN
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 22, 2014 at 11pm UK
 
PN

2-2

Jones (64'), Dempsey (81')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Nani (5'), Varela (90+5')

Portugal snatch last-gasp draw against USA

:Headline: Result: Portugal snatch last-gasp draw against USA: ID:161342: from db_amp
Silvestre Varela scores in stoppage time to earn Portugal a draw against the USA.

USA were denied a shock victory over Portugal after Silvestre Varela snatched a late equaliser for the Iberians.

The States, who came into the game hoping to seal a place in the second round, made the worst possible start when a seemingly harmless cross skewed off the shin of Geoff Cameron and into the path of Nani, who calmly put the ball beyond Tim Howard.

Jurgen Klinsmann's charges did respond well after the goal and almost levelled when Clint Dempsey's free kick had Beto beaten, but flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Dempsey went close again moments later when his burst down the right saw the ex-Fulham player bearing down on goal, but his shot from a tight angle was stopped by Beto.

Portugal couldn't keep the Seattle Sounders forward out of the action and he had another chance on 18 minutes when he attempted a deft lob, but saw his effort drift wide.

Dempsey then turned provider for Michael Bradley and, although he scuffed his shot, it was only inches wide of Beto's goal.

Portugal nearly doubled their advantage moments before half time when Nani's shot came back off the post, but Eder failed to convert the rebound as Howard recovered to nudge his effort over the bar.

After the break, the USA could hardly believe that they hadn't equalised when the ball fell to Bradley inside the six-yard box, but Ricardo Costa was on the line to produce a stunning clearance and keep his side ahead.

However, their lead was lost in the 64th minute when they failed to clear a corner and Jermaine Jones's well-taken effort was too much for Beto.

With nine minutes remaining, Klinsmann's men had completed their dramatic turnaround when Graham Zusi's dangerous cross was bundled home by Dempsey off his stomach, to the delight of the sizeable US support in Manaus.

Cristiano Ronaldo had an excellent opportunity to restore parity when he got onto the end of Joao Moutinho's ball into the box, but he dragged his shot wide.

However, with the last attack of the game, Varela headed home Ronaldo's cross to break USA hearts and keep Portugal's World Cup dreams alive.

amp_article__161342 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-06-25 20:48:37:
html db last update - 2021-01-11 00:02:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
11Bournemouth34129134960-1145
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .