Team USA’s World Cup-opening victory over Ghana paled in comparison to Sunday night’s match against Portugal.
After trailing 1-0 entering the half, Jermaine Jones’ goal squared things up at 1-all. As time began to wind down, Clint Dempsey found the back of the net to give the Untied States a 2-1 victory, including all of the game’s momentum, in what felt like was going to become a victory and the team advancing out of Group G in the 2014 World Cup.
Read More on the USA vs. Portugal Match
However, Varela’s goal in the final minute of stoppage time shocked everyone watching, and helped Portugal tie it up at 2-2, keeping their chances in Group G alive and ending the emotionally draining match in a tie.
Re-live the exciting match in GIF below, if you can stomach it:
In the 64th minute, Jones beat Portugual goalkeeper Beto to even things up for the US.
After Michael Bradley’s shot was deflected, Graham Zusi grabbed control and sent a cross back in front of goal, where Dempsey was waiting.
Playing through the broken nose, Dempsey deflected the ball off his hip and scored in the 81st minute to give the U.S. what we all believed was the game-winning goal.
The heartbreaking moment of the game came in the final minute of stoppage time.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who struggled for the entirety of the match, sent a cross into the US penalty area and Varela beat goaltender Tim Howard to tie up the game for the draw.
Next up, the U.S. will face Germany on Thursday in Recife, while Portugal takes on Ghana at the same time in Brasilia.
