Portugal have stunned Fiji to claim a historic 24-23 win in the final pool match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The world's 16th-ranked side picked up their first-ever victory in the tournament in thrilling style, with Rodrigo Marta's converted try in the last minute sealing a famous triumph.
The result was still enough for Fiji to scrape through to the quarter-finals at Australia's expense, as the Pacific Islanders picked up the solitary point they needed courtesy of a losing bonus point.
It would have taken a Portugal win by eight or more points to see Australia hang on to second place behind Wales in Pool C, so despite Fiji falling to a shock defeat, the Wallabies crash out at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time ever.
Fiji, meanwhile, have made the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007, although they could hardly have set up their last-eight showdown with England in less convincing fashion.
A tight and tense first half showed that the overwhelming favourites were not going to have things all their own way, with the two sides going into the interval locked at 3-3.
The tries began to flow early in the second half though, with Raffaele Storti atoning for a big missed opportunity in the first half by racing on to a grubber kick through and finishing expertly in the corner.
Fiji responded immediately through Levani Botia to level things back up, but he was then sent to the sin bin moments later for a high tackle and Portugal quickly restored their advantage as Francisco Fernandes burrowed over from close range.
Once again, the Pacific Islanders fought back, with Mesake Doge finding his way over the line in similar style to Fernandes 10 minutes from time, and Frank Lomani's conversion and two subsequent penalties looked like they could be enough for Fiji to survive an almighty scare.
However, with a six-point deficit in the final three minutes and needing a converted try to win, Marta came up with the biggest moment in Portuguese rugby history.
Os Lobos still needed the conversion to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, and Samuel Marques held his nerve to knock over the kick and put his side ahead.
There was just about time for the restart after that, but Portugal safely won possession and booted the ball out of play to spark wild scenes of celebration as they ensured that they finish above Georgia in Pool C.
It was a bitter-sweet moment for Fiji as they just about squeezed into the quarter-finals, where they will face England, whom they beat for the first time in their history in a warm-up match for the tournament in France. body check tags ::
