Portugal survive World Cup exit

Portugal remained in contention for the knock-out stages of the World Cup following Silvestre Varela's header in the dying seconds of the 2-2 draw against the United States of America on Sunday night.

Ahead of the World Cup, may believed that the USA had no chance of winning a game in the group, but a win over Ghana, and draw against Portugal have placed them in a good position to seal the improbable.

Nani started the scoring for Portugal in the 5th minute, as they lead in the first-half. USA levelled the scores as Jermaine Jones hit a pile-driver past Beto, followed by Clint Dempsey's second goal of the World Cup, which gave the North Americans the lead in the game.

However, with Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo on the loose, Portugal kept on piling the pressure, and it finally paid dividends as Selecção kept their World Cup hopes alive in the 95th minute, when the skipper swept in an excellent cross from the right wing for Varela to head in on goal.

The score-draw keeps all teams in Group G in contention for qualification to the round of 16.