Rio de Janeiro: A last gasp equalizser by substitute striker Silvestre Varela helped Portugal stay afloat in the World Cup with a 2-2 draw against the United States while Algeria beat South Korea 4-2 in another high-scoring thriller to keep their chances of a knock-out round place alive.
Portugal will now need to win big against Ghana in their last group league game while praying that the match between the USA and Germany doesn’t end in a draw in order to qualify for the round of 16. Germany and the US are on four points, while Portugal and Ghana have one each.
It was Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who essayed the perfect centre for Varela to head home with just 30 seconds left for the final whistle.
It was one of the most exciting matches where Portugal got the lead as early as the fifth minute when Nani capitalised on a defensive blooper from Geoff Cameron. A faulty clearance landed at Nani’s feet as the Manchester United player slotted home from close range.
Later Jermaine Jones’ swinging long-ranger from outside the penalty box saw a helpless Beto stranded as it rammed into the net. Jones received the ball when Nani’s ill-directed clearance came to him.
Skipper Clint Dempsey then made it 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Yedlin made a lovely run along the right before cutting it back for Bradley. His shot was blocked into the feet of Zusi who crossed it for Dempsey, who chested it from close range to give the Americans the lead.
It was finally left to Ronaldo to turn provider in order to help Portugal live for another day.
For Algeria, it was their best match in World Cup history as they stunned the 2002 semifinalists South Korea by opening up an unbelievable 3-0 lead in the first half.
It was their first World Cup victory since their famous 1982 shock win against West Germany and was the first time an African side had managed four goals in a single World Cup match.
Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoume Djabou were the scorers in the first half.
Son Heung-Min and Koo Ja-Cheol gave South Korea some hope in the second half but Yacine Brahimi’s fourth for Algeria kept them in charge.
The result spirited Algeria up to second in Group H behind Belgium, with Russia and the Koreans trailing on one point apiece. (PTI)
