Silvestre Varela scored a ninety-fifth minute equaliser to prevent Jurgen Klinsmann's USA from reaching the last sixteen of the World Cup. Paulo Bento's Portugal side were staring elimination in the face, before substitute Varela scored to keep alive the Portguese hopes of qualification. USA had fought back from a goal down as Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey cancelled out Nani's early goal, before Varela had the last laugh.

Portugal went ahead after just five minutes when USA centre back Geoff Cameron sliced a clearance into the path of winger Nani, who coolly fired past Tim Howard. Ten minutes later, Portgual striker Helder Postiga limped off to be replaced by Braga's Eder, giving Bento another injury headache before the crunch clash with Ghana. Just after the half hour mark, USA captain Clint Dempsey found full back Fabian Johnson in space, who lashed a shot just wide of Beto's post, as the USA looked to claw back the deficit. Before the break, Tim Howard ensured Portugal went into half time with just a one goal advantage, as he made two superb saves to deny Nani and Eder.

Bento was forced to make another substitution at half time as full back Andre Almeida, who was a replacement for the injured Fabio Coentrao, couldn't continue and was replaced by William Carvalho. It was the USA who made the better start in the second half and we're almost level ten minutes in. Johnson was played in down the right, his pull back fell to the feet of Michael Bradley, but the midfielders shot was brilliantly blocked on the line by Ricardo Costa. Eight minutes later, the USA were level. A corner fell to Jermaine Jones twenty-five yards out and the midfielder shimmied past Nani before unleashing a superb strike into Beto's left hand corner. 

Portugal responded and it took a superb save from Howard to prevent Raul Meireles from putting the European side back in front. Ten minutes from time, it was the USA's time to go ahead. Substitute DeAndre Yedlin's cross was deflected into the path of Graham Zusi, who played it square to Clint Dempsey who managed to force the ball home via his stomach. Portugal threw men forward in the hope of an equaliser and they seemed far from one until a moment of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star hasn't enjoyed the best of World Cups, but he atoned for his errors by delivering an incredible cross that Varela could do nothing but convert.

Tonights result means Portugal need to beat Ghana to stand a chance of reaching the last sixteen. USA face Germany, knowing a point is enough to secure their place in the knockout rounds.

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