It neither began nor ended well for the United States against Portugal Sunday evening.
All things considered, though, the US still walked out of the Arena de Amazon in Manaus, Brazil with one point, giving them four points total thus far in group play.
Up 2-1 in the late stages of second half stoppage time, the US seemed destined for the win and ultimately an advance to the knockout round.
However, a beautiful cross from Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo into the US box found the head of his fellow countrymen, Silvestre Varela, tying the game, 2-2.
Tim Howard could do little as Varela was left open, streaking towards the US goal.
It was a miracle scenario for Portugal as a loss would have denied them a trip to the knockout round.
Portugal is still alive, however they need a rigmarole of circumstances to occur if they shall continue onto the knockout stage.
Although disappointment is high for the US following this heartbreaking draw, a win or draw against Germany on Thursday will send them into the knockout round of 16.
In the fifth minute Sunday night, Nani opened the scoring early for Portugal, by directing a cross that skipped by US defenders past Howard and into the back of the net.
The US trailed 1-0 all the way until the 64th minute, when it was Jermaine Jones who equalized the game on an awe-inspiring strike from outside of Portugal’s eighteen yard box.
Humidity was high all throughout the game, but it did not seem to bother the players as they battled in what was described by many an epic match.
With the game still knotted 1-1 heading into the 81st minute, the US passed the ball around the Portugal eighteen yard box eventually finding Clint Dempsey who directed a pass off of his abdomen into the Portugal goal, giving the US a 2-1 lead.
The goal for Dempsey, who played with a broken nose, was his second at this year’s tournament and his fourth career World Cup goal.
Varela’s goal via Ronaldo’s exquisite cross in stoppage time shocked the US, but all is still left on the table for team red, white, and blue.
With a trip to the knockout round on the line, the US will square off against Germany Thursday at 12:00 PM.
