Football: Portugal deny US shock win

Portugal snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time to force a 2-2 draw with the United States and keep their World Cup hopes flickering in Manaus, Brazil, on Sunday. Silvestre Varela headed in a cross from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo in the 5th and final minute of stoppage time at the Amazonia Arena to grab a vital point. The last-gasp leveller deprived the US of a famous win which would have seen them complete a remarkable qualification from Group G, which also includes Germany and Ghana. It also saved Ronaldo and Portugal from an embarrassing first round elimination from a group they were firmly expected to qualify from. The result leaves the US and Germany level on 4 points in Group G, with Portugal and Ghana on 1 apiece. A draw between the Germans and Americans in the final round of matches on Thursday would see both teams advance. US coach Jurgen Klinsmann hailed his team’s heroic display. ‘Obviously the last second is unfortunate but my guys were magnificent,’ he said. ‘We just have to get a result against Germany.’ Portugal winger Nani had shot the Europeans into the lead on 5 minutes but Klinsmann’s side rallied thereafter and dominated for long periods. They got their reward when Jermaine Jones equalised on 64 minutes with a rasping shot. Then 9 minutes from time Dempsey chested in a cross to put the US 2-1 up. It seemed as if that would be enough for victory but Portugal poured forward with one last desperate attack to score, according to AFP.