Ronaldo's last minute assist keeps Portugal still alive
Updated: 2014-06-23 08:46
(Agencies)
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Portugal's Varela (C) scores their second goal during their 2014 World Cup G soccer match against US at the Amazonia arena in Manaus, June 22, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
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Portugal's Varela (C) scores their second goal as Tim Howard (R) of the US reacts during their 2014 World Cup G soccer match at the Amazonia arena in Manaus, June 22, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
MANAUS, Brazil - Cristiano Ronaldo set up Varela for a late equalizer on a hot and humid night in the jungle Sunday to give the Portugal a 2-2 draw with the United States and hope for a spot in the second round of the World Cup.
Ronaldo, who has been playing despite a left knee injury, sent in a cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Varela scored with a diving header in the last seconds of the match.
Nani had scored first for Portugal, shooting past a sprawling Tim Howard in the fifth minute, but the Americans responded in the second half as Portugal seemed to wilt in the stifling heat.
Jermaine Jones made it 1-1 with a curling shot in the 64th minute after a cross from Graham Zusi made its way through the Portugal defense.
Clint Dempsey, playing with a broken nose, then put the Americans ahead in the 81st. The United States captain used his stomach to direct the ball into the net from a cross by Zusi.
The last-second draw denied the Americans a spot in the second round, but it kept Portugal alive in the tournament.
"Obviously we're disappointed, but at the end of the day you've got to look at the positives, we got a point," Dempsey said. "It's going down to the last game and hopefully we get the job done."