A last-gasp header by Silvestre Varela in stoppage time saved world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal from crashing out of the World Cup finals as they completed a 2-2 draw with the United States.
The game started at a high-tempo as both sides knew the consequences of a loss and Portugal opened the deadlock in only five minutes through a goal scored by Nani. The first-half ended with Portugal riding on the Nani goal but USA equalised in the second-half through a vicious strike by Germany-born Jermaine Jones. The midfilder picked up a clearance from the Portugal defence and unleashed a long-ranger which saw Portugal keeper Beto stuck to the ground.
Ten minutes from time USA took the lead through a Clint Dempsey goal. The forward scored after receiving a cross from Graham Zusi out wide and thought it would be deemed the winner as Portugal then struggled to find the net.
However, with only seconds remaining one sublime cross from a pretty anonymous Ronaldo was met by Varela and it soared past Tim Howard to give them a lifeline as another defeat would surely have sent them packing for home.
The United States — who reached the last 16 in 2010 only to lose to Ghana – are on four points along with Germany, who they play in their final group game, and who their coach Jurgen Klinsmann coached at the 2006 finals.
Ghana and Portugal both have one point and play also on Thursday.
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