What a match: Portugal took an early lead, but the U.S. could not hang out and turned the game. Only in injury time met Ronaldo and Co. to 2:2, thus preventing the premature World Cup-off.

Almost there would have been the next surprise: Until the fifth minute of stoppage time, the U.S. led 2-1 in Manaus. Portugal would have been out in this result, the U.S. Selection of Jürgen Klinsmann certainly in the second round. Only in injury time when substitute Silvestre Varela hit to make it 2-2 and saved his team from premature World Cup-off.

The time between 1-0 to Portugal fell after five minutes: Miguel Veloso had the ball flanked by the left wing, U.S. defender Geoff Cameron slips up in his rescue attempt, and Portugal had Nani from close range easy game. For the Manchester United players, it was the first World Cup matches.

Who thought this furious start that Portugal, the Americans would now shoot, a lesson was taught: After a quarter of an hour took over Klinsmann’s team the lead. The Americans ran past, Portugal was limited mostly on defending.

USA 2 Portugal 2:U.S. goalkeeper Howard with a sensational parade

The first opportunity for the Americans had U.S. captain Clint Dempsey in the 13th minute: From 25 yards he fired a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar by Beto. In the 24th minute Michael Bradley also tried it from a distance, but his shot went over the housing of the Portuguese. Three minutes later it was again Bradley, who had the chance to equalize, but Portugal’s Ricardo Costa was able to clarify in dire need for a corner.

Just before the break the Portuguese arrived yet again to scoring opportunities. First Cristiano Ronaldo operated freestanding Nani, whose shot deflected Howard. Shortly after Ronaldo scored a free-kick from a promising position on the gate of the Americans.
In the 45th minute, then lucky for the U.S.: First, Nani scored the post, the rebound of Eder held U.S. keeper Howard, who was already on the way in the other direction, with a fine save.

USA 2 Portugal 2:Germany and the United States would reach a draw

In the 55th minute there was the hitherto best chance of the Americans: After presenting the strong playing Fabian Johnson Bradley came from a good six meters at the end, but central defender Ricardo Costa saved on the line. About ten minutes later, then fell but deserved equalizer for the U.S. Selection: After an initially repulsed corner of the former Bundesliga player Jermaine Jones met with a remarkable shot from 20 yards to 1:1.

the U.S. fell in 81 minutes a cross from Graham Zusi Dempsey was on the spot and scored from close range with the belly. The preliminary decision? No! In the fifth minute of stoppage time when substitute Varela scored on presentation of Ronaldo headed the 2-2 draw and prevented the early departure of his team.

In group G, the USA assign four points to second place, behind Germany (4 points) and in Ghana (1) and the Portuguese (1). On Thursday, the Americans take on the German national team. A draw would be enough teams to progress. Due to the better goal would be group winners Germany in a draw.

USA 2 Portugal 2 Match Stats

0:1 Nani (5)

1:1 Jones (64)

2-1 Dempsey (81)

2:2 Varela (90 +5)

USA: Howard – F. Johnson, Cameron, besler, Beasley – Beckerman, J. Jones – Bradley – Bedoya (72 Yedlin), Zusi (90th Gonzales) – Dempsey (87 Wondolowski)

Portugal: Beto – Joao Perira, Ricardo Costa, Bruno Alves, André Almeida (46th Carvalho) – Miguel Veloso – Joao Moutinho, Raul Meireles (69 varela) – Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo – Postiga (16 Eder)

Referee: Pitana (Argentina)

Attendance: 40,000

Yellow cards: Jones /

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