Live commentary: USA - Portugal 2:2 (World Cup 2014 Brazil, Group G)

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Slideshow World Cup 2014 Brazil Group G, USA - Portugal

USA	Sunday, 22. June 2014 23:00 Clock	Portugal
	2:2

goals
0 : 1	Nani 5. / right-footed shot
1 : 1	Jermaine Jones 64. / right-footed shot
2 : 1	Clint Dempsey 81. (Graham Zusi)
2 : 2	Varela 90. / header (Cristiano Ronaldo)

90'		Endgame Summary: What a heartbreaker for the Americans but what a goal from Portugal! Ronaldo played just about 95 pedestrian moments before delivering an excellent pass to his teammate in the box. There's still plenty to play for in the "Group of Death" and all the teams have a chance to advance. Despite the late goal, the US did well with great performances from Dempsey, Jones, and Fabian Johnson. It was a rather slow day for Portugal but all they needed was a mistake from Geoff Cameron and a moment of excellence from Ronaldo. There's plenty left open after an amazing game from both sides!
90'		Full-Time
90'		Goooal for Portugal, 2:2 by Varela What a beautiful play by Portugal and there is life for them yet! What a perfect ball from Cristiano Ronaldo from the right flank. The striker leaves the goal for Varela and the jubilance for the Americans have work left to do.
90'		Ronaldo can't direct a cross on target and there's a moment of respite for the Americans. Just a couple minutes left until the final whistle now.
90'		As they have most of the half, America has defended well. Chris Wondolowski takes his touch to the left corner and takes a few moments off the clock but Portugal are back on possession.
90'		Five minutes of added time! There's still plenty of time for the Portuguese side to shock an excited pro-American crowd.
90'		Substitution (in) USA -> Omar González
90'		Substitution (out) USA -> Graham Zusi
89'		Important that the Americans keep their composure. Portugal are still attacking but time is really against them now.
88'		Portugal with a corner after João Moutinho's cross in is headed out of bounds. Nani can't find anyone but Portugal still have possession deep in the mmidfield.
87'		Substitution (in) USA -> Chris Wondolowski
87'		Substitution (out) USA -> Clint Dempsey
86'		Ronaldo just can't find the goal. After a free kick, the striker is waved as offsides. Just a few minutes left until a huge surprise by the United States.
85'		Dempsey is just one goal behind Landon Donovan now and despite his relative quiet second half, he may have just scored the most important goal in US World Cup history.
84'		What a goal from America's main man. If this score line stays, then the Americans will advance to the Round of 16.
81'		Goooal for USA, 2:1 by Clint Dempsey There's a huge goal for the US! After a cross by Alejandro Bedoya finds Michael Bradley, the midfielder's shot is deflected but Dempsey is in the right place at the right time as Zusi lifts a pass on to Dempsey. A great bit of teamwork from the United States!
80'		Nani couldn't keep it down from the right side of the pitch. It was well taken but the scoreline is level.
80'		It's getting late in the match, Portugal need something late here but they just lack a bit of inspiration after the early Nani goal.
79'		After a bit of rest, Besler is back in action and so are the Americans.
77'		Matt Besler seems to have tweaked his hamstring. He fell to the ground and immediately grabbed his right leg. It might just be a cramp but he's still on the pitch.
76'		Just about fifteen minutes left in the match and both sides are still looking for a decisive goal. Ronaldo flips a pass on to Éder but the US defense cuts out the attack and begins their own build up.
75'		Jermaine Jones (USA) is shown a yellow card A questionable challenge from Jones but he's shown yellow. The first yellow for him this World Cup.
74'		Ricardo Costa gets a painful kick by Dempsey but play resets. There hasn't been much out of Dempsey during this second half as Jones and Johnson have been the focal point of the US attack.
74'		Nani takes a great dive in the box, Zusi does well to force the winger off the ball but Nani's dive is a bit too dramatic.
72'		Substitution (in) USA -> DeAndre Yedlin
72'		Substitution (out) USA -> Alejandro Bedoya
71'		Varela's first touch with the ball betrays him with Fabian Johnson comfortably guiding him across the line. The United States are plenty comfortable with Portugal's increased aggression so far.
69'		Substitution (in) Portugal -> Varela
69'		Substitution (out) Portugal -> Raúl Meireles
68'		Offside flag up as Raúl Meireles finds some space for a shot. Ronaldo was beyond the American defense so a score wouldn't have mattered. The entire game's complexion has changed since Portugal allowed a goal.
66'		Tim Howard manages to just get a foot to a shot from Raúl Meireles. Howard didn't make the best decision to run out and try and clear the cross but his reaction saved an early answer from Portugal.
64'		Goooal for USA, 1:1 by Jermaine Jones What a shot from Jermaine Jones! Zusi's corner finds no one in the box but the ball falls to Jermaine Jones's right foot. The defender rips a shot right into the right netting. Nothing Beto could do about that effort. What a time for Jones's first goal!
62'		Ronaldo finds himself all alone on the right flank and has to score but just can't connect. The United States dodged a bullet but Ronaldo looks a bit hurt still.
60'		America are still pressing forward and Portugal cannot seem to contain Fabian Johnson on the right flank! At this point, the losing side deserve the equalizer.
58'		Not a poor idea from Nani who finds some space behind the American back line for a pass. There was a bit of a miscommunication, however, and Howard dashes up to collect the errant pass.
56'		What a great chance from Bradley! Zusi plays a great pass into Fabian Johnson who dashes towards the end line. Bradley receives a perfect pass to Michael Bradley but the Portuguese defense managers to deflect the ball away at the last minute as Bradley looks at a net without a keeper in the frame.
55'		A bit of a mistake by Zusi who can't gather Bradley's aerial pass with his right foot. The American fans might be getting a bit anxious as Portugal continues to press forward.
53'		The sides have settled back into casual passing. America have pressed up a bit but Portugal are staying in their half until they can pick out the decisive pass.
51'		A inspired cross from Portugal, however, Beasley is there and the winning side resets. From the throw, Éder takes a shot but his shot finds only the side netting.
49'		Dempsey tries to play a cross into the box but Beto is ready for it. The keeper casually gathers the aerial pass and Portugal are back on the ball; however, Ronaldo is run out of bounds harmlessly.
48'		The US have come out of the half with plenty of fire! Dempsey looked to receive a cross from Fabian Johnson but Deto can knock the cross out of the way. Corner for America that is over the top of everybody.
46'		Substitution (in) Portugal -> William Carvalho
46'		Substitution (out) Portugal -> André Almeida
46'		Second Half begins
45'		Halftime Summary: The early goal by Nani is the difference at the break. Portugal must be content with the scoreline but America had plenty of moments that could have seen them equalize. Geoff Cameron's early mistake is the difference in the match but he has played solidly since the early gaffe and has seen Clint Dempsey and Fabian Johnson help in support. Nani should feel liberated after struggling on both the club and international level but his goal will leave plenty of questions to be answered in the second half. The US will look to score a couple of goals here and not have to leave their fates in the hands of group favorite Germany. The second half will be coming up shortly!
45'		Half-Time
45'		Two minutes added on but the match has quieted down after that exclamation point by both Howard's save and Nani's effort.
45'		Just a few minutes to half, Portugal are advancing once more and still looking to score! Nani took a shot that just deflected off the post and Howard manages to get a left hand to the deflection that Éder launched towards goal. Howard is truly world class!
43'		Ronaldo lifts the shot over the wall but well over Howard's goal as well. A bit of relief from the American side.
42'		Tim Howard to the rescue! The Portuguese side counters and Ronaldo finds Nani in space right in front of the right corner of the penalty area. Howard is prepared for the brilliant effort but Portugal gets a penalty froma bout 25 yards out.
41'		Play has restarted after a few moments. It was a fair decision but will it take either side off of their game? America starts a buildup from the midfield and are doing a great job keeping the ball in their control.
39'		Jermaine Jones looks to have tweaked his leg a bit. He makes his way to the sideline for a bit of attention. The referee just called for a water break in Brasil, which is allowed at his discretion. It's a scorcher Manaos.
37'		Cameron tries to chip the ball over the defense in to Fabian Johnson but he sees the offside flag raised. The Americans are still very much alive in this match!
36'		Ronaldo tries to rip an effort from about 10 yards outside the penalty area. His shot bounces well before it reaches Tim Howard and the keeper is capable of pulling it into his chest.
35'		A great ground effort by Jermaine Jones! The effort is right in Beto's line of sight and he manages to gather it in easily.
34'		Portugal begin their approach from the right flank but switch to the left. Ultimately Miguel Veloso launches an effort from about 35 yards. It was ambitious and easily deflected away. American regains possession and begins their build up form the midfield.
33'		What the US certainly can't do in this situation is concede another goal but Portugal look determined to double their lead. Éder fouls Beasley near the box and the Americans are back on the ball.
31'		Very little from Ronaldo to this point but he is always capable of making his presence known. The winger quickly drew a foul and his team continues to press forward.
29'		Yet another chance, this time from Michael Bradley! A great combination play between Dempsey and Bradley and the latter takes a great shot that just skids wide of the left post. Beto couldn't reach the effort but saw his fortune favored this time.
27'		Yet another buildup from the Americans. The USA are comfortable in the midfield. Dempsey finds a pass in tight space and dashes into the penalty area. His shot is once again deflected but the US are on another corner.
26'		Since conceding, the Americans have responded well. There are a few signs that the Portugal back line may be subject to being broken by the pressing Yanks.
24'		After a few probing passes, the US relinquish possession but can quickly snuff out a counterattack and are now advancing themselves. Bradley launched an effort that just doesn't fall for him but it was a decent attempt from range.
22'		Another effort from Portugal as the try and double their tally. João Moutinho launches an effort from about 30 yards but sees his effort sail wide.
20'		A bit of emotion from Jürgen Klinsmann as he yells at the official, hoping for a foul call to no avail. The crowd is very engaged in this exciting match!
19'		Portugal continue to press and have caught the US a bit disorganized. Fortunately for the Americans, the attack has to reset from midfield.
17'		A second chance from the US side! Dempsey gathers a looping pass and challenges Beto. On the subsequent corner, Dempsey gathered the ball on his chest and just lifted the shot over the Portuguese goal. He's certainly showing his versatility!
16'		Postiga is done early, it looks like his hamstring is bothering him and he's seen his evening ended extremely early.
16'		Substitution (in) Portugal -> Éder
16'		Substitution (out) Portugal -> Hélder Postiga
13'		Not a bad effort from Dempsey! He hooks the ball just beyond the wall but sees the ball sail just above the goal post!
13'		A dangerous set piece for the United States from about 25 yards. The four-man wall will try and deflect any effort.
12'		A very frenetic pace during the early goings of the match. Geoff Cameron, who failed to clear the ball that led to the early lead, will have to forget about his early mistake and play well.
11'		The corner comes to noting but the Americans are still on possession in the midfield.
10'		The US have failed to retain possession during the first ten minutes but Fabian Johnson finds some space along the right flank, the defender cuts into the box and rips a shot with his left leg. It's deflected out of bounds but the US have their first corner.
9'		The United States will still have to take it to Portugal and they've hardly had any possession. This is not the start their side were looking for. Paulo Bento, however, couldn't be happier after a disappointing first display by his side.
7'		This will be a big test for the USA now! Portugal have showed that they were more than prepared and now will try and double their lead with yet another counter from the left flank.
5'		Goooal for Portugal, 0:1 by Nani An early goal by Portugal! The US were caught sleeping after a quick press by Portugal that led to catastrophe. Nani finds himself all alone after a failed clearance and Tim Howard can't help his team.
3'		Both sides look content to feel out the game in the midfield during the early goings. The United States look like they have plenty of confidence early on.
2'		Portugal come into this match with plenty of desperation; a loss today would end their World Cup.
1'		And we're underway!
1'		Kick-Off
		Today's match will be officiated by Argentinian official Néstor Pitana and his crew. The will try and keep this heated contest fair and well-played.
		It's a sweltering day in Manaos but both sides are ready to perform to the best of their abilities. Just a few minutes now until kickoff!
		But the US have plenty of firepower of their own. Clint Dempsey has shown his world class during this World Cup so far and has the support of Graham Zusi and Jermaine Jones. The trio would do well to control the tempo of the match but the US might resort to counterattacking in an effort to catch their opponents on their heels.
		There are plenty of storylines here: namely, whether the US can bring their A-game against a respectable Portugal side. There will be no relaxing in the Group of Death for any team, but the United States may have the toughest challenge of asserting themselves as a legitimate force in the football world. Tim Howard will have his hands full with directing a defense that has played well together early in the World Cup but they will be facing some very capable Portuguese goal-scorers. Look for Ronaldo and Hélder Postiga to make their impact on the match early with decisive and aggressive runs.
		The US are coming into this match with plenty of confidence. After defeating Ghana in their first match, they could take lead of Group G with a win against Portugal today. A Selecção may have been defeated by Germany, but they still have plenty of talent. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't make his presence known in the first match but he'll look to leave an imprint on this go-around.
		In just about 20 minutes, the United States and Portugal face of in an extremely important Group Stage match. Both sides will give it their all with just a few more days of group play remaining. Which side will prove victorious? Stay updated here!