Portugal stays alive in the FIFA World Cup 2014 as they score with the last touch in the match against USA to finish it 2-2. It was a match that USA dominated throughout but a better finishing saw the Portuguese on level terms with the Americans in the end.
Portugal made just the perfect start as Nani scored from point blank range with the clocking just ticking over the 5 minute mark. It was more of a gift from the Americans to Nani as they failed to make an easy clearance, instead putting it into the path of Nani. USA slowly gathered them from the early setback and began to make inroads into the Portuguese defense. Portuguese keeper Beto had to make few saves and watched few flying past him as USA couldn’t find the finishing touch to their otherwise promising attacks. On the other hand Cristiano Ronaldo looked a bit off-colour with 
exception to two occasions-firstly when his dribbling saw four American defenders being wrong footed and on the other when he passed it to Nani across the field to have a go at the goal. Nani made one more try and came very close to double the lead few seconds before the half time whistle when his shot from distance hit the post after it had beaten Howard. Eder went for the goal from the rebound but Howard made an excellent save off-balance to keep the scoreline 1-0 at the half time.
As the second half began USA was looking more positive and their eagerness to score was quite evident in their passing. Ricardo Costa made a goal line save from Bradley after the goalkeeper was beaten by a low cross. But USA didn’t have to wait long after that as Jermaine Jones restored parity with an excellent curling finish that kept the goal keeper unmoved. USA soon took the lead when Clint Dempsey chested in from close range in the 81st minute. It looked as good as over for Portugal. However Ronaldo and Varela had other ideas. 5 minutes into the stoppage time Ronaldo got the ball in the right channel. He floats in one the best crosses of the tournament to which Varela put his head and Howard had no other option than to pick the ball up from over the goalline. It was the last kick of the match and Portugal was level on 2-2.
USA was denied a spot in the second round just by a whisker and Portugal saved the blushes just by the same margin. Till then Ronaldo had not done anything that could be mentioned. But that what makes a great footballer. It was a telling cross from the Best footballer on the planet that saved the day for Portugal. As it stands now, Portugal still has a glimmer of hope of staying in Brazil. They need to win against Ghana and not only that the Germany-USA match should end with a winner being detected. A draw will see the Americans and the Germans through to the next round and the Portuguese packing their suitcase. The qualification race still remains alive in this group which can well be tagged as the Group of Death besides Group B as all the four teams have an opportunity to qualify even after the second round.
