Final, 2-2: It’s all over in Manaus. The United States and Portugal have played to a thrilling draw. Right when it looked like the United States would dance into the knockout rounds, Portugal stopped the music and snatched its share of the spoils. Varela’s last-second goal eliminated the Americans’ advantage, kept his team in the tournament and postponed Team USA’s party.
After conceding Nani’s early goal, the United States outplayed Portugal for much of the game. Team USA showed explosiveness, quality and personality Klinsmann and fans had hoped to see, but also demonstrated a defensive naivety that should be cause for concern. The stifling heat and the frenetic pace of the game left players running on empty, as the game approached its conclusion. Portugal had enough energy to launch one last attack, which caught the Americans off guard and ultimately left them stunned.
The result means the United States must wait until Thursday — the final day of group-stage action — to learn whether it will escape the “Group of Death.” The U.S. faces Germany in a meeting between the two teams that are tied atop Group G with four points apiece. Ghana and Portugal, who play each other at the same time, both must win in order to survive, as they each have one point.
Source: NESN
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