United States 2 Portugal 2: Paulo Bento’s side keep their World Cup hopes alive

Portugal secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw on Sunday with Silvestre Varela heading home in the final minute to deny the United States victory.

The USA had come from behind to lead 2-1 on Sunday and looked to have ended Portugal’s FIFA World Cup campaign in Manaus, before Cristiano Ronalo got free on the right in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time and picked out Varela, who powered a header past Tim Howard.

An early goal to Nani saw Portugal respond well to their devastating 4-0 loss to Germany last week, but second-half strikes to Jermaine Jones and captain Clint Dempsey had put the USA in front and on the verge of securing a berth in the round of 16 for the second tournament in a row.

But Varela’s late header ensured the top two positions in Group G remain up for grabs with Germany (four points) on top, level with the USA, while Ghana and Portugal both have slim chances of advancing with one point each.

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