world cup

Portugal scores in last minute to draw 2-2 with U.S.

41 Comments
By CHRIS LEHOURITES

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41 Comments
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Hell of a match. If Bradley does not have that turn-over at the very end, the U.S. is through to the knock-out stage.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Portugal scores in last minute to draw 2-2 with U.S.

"Last minute"?! Try, "last second" and you'd be much closer to the truth.

It just goes to show that 88 minutes of well-played ball (Portugal's first goal came off a sloppy clearing kick by the U.S.) can be undone very quickly.

For those implying that Germany and the U.S. may intentionally play for a tie, the Washington Post had this comment:

Last fall, having already clinched a World Cup berth, the United States had no incentive against Panama in the last qualifier. And a Panama victory would have eliminated Mexico, the U.S. team’s arch nemesis. The Americans scored twice late to win, 3-2.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/2014-world-cup-us-soccer-settles-for-2-2-tie-after-portugal-scores-in-stoppage-time/2014/06/22/d80e9596-fa67-11e3-b1f4-8e77c632c07b_story.html

If that's the way the U.S. plays when nothing is on the line, expect more of the same when a victory over Germany avoids a round of 16 match-up with Belgium.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Despite a 2-2 draw, Team USA played like champions and they all deserve kudos for playing quality ball in terms of possession, stringing five and six passes in a possession, and shots on goal. I believe that Team USA outplayed Portugal and was more deserving of a win, but in sports the score is the score. Now, onto the next game...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

lostrune:

" If the Germany-US match is tied with ~15 minutes to go, expect a lot of walking around. "

I can see that. However, I hope the the whole game is not like that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Glad I didn't have to witness Ronaldo ripping his shirt off.

He is playing with one leg and risking his career for Portugal. In fact his is only 25% fit for tournament. It is unlikely Portugal will be qualified for second round. However he will be remembered as legend for playing with never say die attitude.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2661588/Cristiano-Ronaldo-limps-training-Portugals-World-Cup-goes-bad-worse.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/cristiano-ronaldo-injury-portugal-star-3717454

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Loved it, but would have loved it more had Portugal gone down. I love an underdog, and the US always plays its #%#ss off in these matches.

Glad I didn't have to witness Ronaldo ripping his shirt off.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

As for the announcers, I'm sick of all the Japanese announcers. They only know the most famous players on the other teams, like Ronaldo, or Messi, or Naymar, and then constantly yell only their names. Why or why won't NHK or the other channels give us the English feed on subchannel!

This. The Portugal/Germany game was ALL about Ronaldo even though he didn't do a damn thing. No mention of the German players. Just Ronaldo. Messi, Messi, Messi... Kind of nice they spread the "love" of building them up and them not performing. Cough, cough. Honda.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I think it's fantastic that the last group stage matches are played simultaneously so the out come will not be decided before one of the teams in question takes the field. Lots of swithching back and forth between games!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Daisan, the feed is from Fifa, they have their own cameras and they record and send out the signal. NHK may have their own feed, or have the right to choose a different camera, but its all from FIFA, so just add the English commentary you bunch of cheap bastards!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Croatia players seemed to claim he was not speaking English, so is it possible he was just talking to the assistant referee at the time?

That's what I assumed and wrote in a previous comment. This time it was clear that the argentinian was speaking to the players. I guess they can rely mostly on gestures, anyway considering that referees are not supposed to have lengthy "conversations" with players or explain their decisions, I don't think it is that important. On the other hand referees usually attend seminars and courses given by fifa so you'd expect them to have at least a minimum knowledge.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

After all the criticism the japanese referee got about his english ability

The Croatia players seemed to claim he was not speaking English, so is it possible he was just talking to the assistant referee at the time? I could believe if his English wasn't perfect, but I doubt he'd intentionally speak Japanese to them..

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The US did win the CONCACAF qualification that has Costa Rica and Mexico in it.

If the Germany-US match is tied with ~15 minutes to go, expect a lot of walking around.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Get ready for some weird matches depending on the results needed, like a team playing with mostly subs or becoming allergic to the ball all of the sudden. Now is not just about qualifying but also about the convenience of finishing 1st or 2nd in the group.

After all the criticism the japanese referee got about his english ability it was funny to see the argentinian in the US Portugal match speaking to them in spanish during the coin toss. I thought well of course the cry baby understands it but Dempsey? He looked a bit lost, and yes I know some US players are fluent in spansih, but still funny to watch.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Just an info for those complaining that Japan TV got down on its knees for Cristiano: Brazilian TV analists praised a lot the US team, for the quality of the game. All the while they started showing some disrespect for Cristiano. He is really ridiculous being so aware of his image, looking for the huge screens in the stadium to see if there's a a single hair out of place. And what about that feminine eyebrows? Ugh! What's next, playing with complete make-up and mascara?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I watched the game and I was rooting for USA. But I blame USA for the last goal: they got like "well, it's only more two minutes" and got relaxed, they didn't go after the ball while Portugal got so despaired it was clear they would fight to the last seconds. That is how it happened, when the ball was raised near the goal, USA players just let it go. Learn a lesson: teams with some tradition, like Portugal, always have a hidden card in the sleeve. It will be heartbreaking to watch USA x Germany. Wish USA good luck!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As for the announcers, I'm sick of all the Japanese announcers. They only know the most famous players on the other teams, like Ronaldo, or Messi, or Naymar, and then constantly yell only their names. Why or why won't NHK or the other channels give us the English feed on subchannel!

I agree, it was really annoying how they kept rooting for Ronaldo and Portugal and made disappointed grunts when USA did something good. I had to go to work right after the match but I bet all the talk after was about Ronaldo. English commentating would have helped (I'm pretty sure the SkyPerfect broadcasts had the option in the past). But even the halftime announcers would say "Lets hope for another goal (from Portgual)" despite the fact that USA was dominating the match. I don't mind if they want to root for Japan, but them picking sides in a neutral match...

6 ( +8 / -2 )

USA - Germany just need to agree to a draw.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This was a heartbreaking "loss". The US is not out, but they will have to beat Germany or tie them and hope Portugal defeats Ghana.

The US has a few chances or ways to get to the 2nd round.

Win/draw vs. Germany Loss and Portugal-Ghana draw Loss and win tiebreaker vs. Portugal-Ghana winner

Tiebreaker: If the United States loses, Ghana would qualify if either game is decided by a margin of two goals or more. If the U.S. loses by one goal, Ghana would need to win by two goals or be involved in a higher-scoring one-goal win. For instance, a 1-0 scoreline in both games would put the United States through on head-to-head. So, if the U.S. loses 1-0, then Ghana must win 2-1 to qualify on goals scored.

Portugal needs a total 5 goal aggregrate.

Good Luck to the team against Germany!

Thanks to ESPN for the info.. lolz!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

USA and Germany both have 4 points and are playing against each other the last game. If they draw each get 5 points and advance since the other two teams have a point each and will not get more than four. Klinsmann needs to have a one-on-one talk with his country mates.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why or why won't NHK or the other channels give us the English feed on subchannel!

I'm not sure but I think that they don't use the international feed and instead have their own cameras, but yes would be nice to be able to choose, the best for me would be just ambient noise with no commentary ha.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I actually think the refs did a good job in this game. They ignored about 90% of the diving and Portugal dives constantly.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@US

I didn't say I came into the tournament hopeless and dejected... ;-)

That was the players, not the fans!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Great game, lots of scoring chances, not a lot of rough stuff. I felt the Portuguesse were trying to hard to always get the ball to Ronaldo, and the US were just sitting back waiting and then clearing it away. Much like Japan does with Honda, everything must go through him. As for the announcers, I'm sick of all the Japanese announcers. They only know the most famous players on the other teams, like Ronaldo, or Messi, or Naymar, and then constantly yell only their names. Why or why won't NHK or the other channels give us the English feed on subchannel!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Darn! Thanks DaveAllTogether. I meant to put that losing in quotes, but I was typing on emotions. Ha-Ha!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That sucks. I would have much preferred to see the US to go on in the tournament and the Portugese go home.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Losing in the last minute like that is unacceptable

The game was a tie, but you are spot on by saying the US "lost" this game. If they had won and advanced they could have rested their best players against Germany.

And how about the man-love for Ronaldo among the Japanese commentators! One of them was seriously about to cry toward the end, his voice breaking up... "Cristianooo"!

For some reason that has really been bothering me. It's one thing to have man-love/bias for your own team. In a neutral situation there should be a little more objectivity.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The U.S. was bad for so long that I think people don't know that the U.S. is ranked 13th in the world. There is a big difference between 13 and 4 (Germany), but I think the surprise that people have about the U.S. team and say the U.S. should be proud is something that needs to end. There needs to be more expectation that they should do well and games like this should be criticized. Losing in the last minute like that is unacceptable at this level and I'm sure the players know that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

lucabrasi

Welcome to the world of the England fan!

I didn't say I came into the tournament hopeless and dejected... ;-)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The US players fought really hard but they were knackered by the end of the game. They could barely walk and gave the ball away too many times towards the end. Klinsmann should have told them to just whack the ball away instead of playing it out. But a great game to watch. The US seems to be coming of age in footba.... err, soccer. ;)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@US

Talk about going from feeling elated to feeling deflated, defeated, and heartbroken in the blink of an eye.

Welcome to the world of the England fan!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Sickener for the US. My American coworker is still muttering to himself. Still, a win v Ghana and a draw v Portugal is a superb effort and they're still in with a puncher's chance. Every game in this group has been a cracker.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Tough one for the US. Looks like it's more or less anyone's game in terms of qualifying. I think the US will give Germany a good run for its money, but Germany will be tough to beat.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

i'm not sure whether portugal is just playting poorly or are the US really that good these days. i'm hoping it's the latter. but really, a 2-2 draw with the 4th ranked country in the world ain't nothing to be ashamed of. one nation, one team!! Go US!!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Talk about going from feeling elated to feeling deflated, defeated, and heartbroken in the blink of an eye. It was a well fought match by USA and I should be content with the draw, but I feel so let down by one of my favorite American players, Michael Bradley, who really gave this one away. It was like he just walked the last ten minutes and passed no less than three balls away in that period. I was hoping for a convincing win (which we had until the final 30 seconds) today so I'm disappointed that I can't just enjoy the next fixture against Germany, my favorite tournament team, with no care to the outcome...

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I was laughing every time they mentioned Nani.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

And how about the man-love for Ronaldo among the Japanese commentators! One of them was seriously about to cry toward the end, his voice breaking up... "Cristianooo"!

Ha ha my thoughts exactly!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Great game to watch - I really wanted the USA to win. They still have a good chance of getting through, Klinsmann will be well prepared to face his countrymen. And how about the man-love for Ronaldo among the Japanese commentators! One of them was seriously about to cry toward the end, his voice breaking up... "Cristianooo"!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Gutted. Just gutted.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Too bad, I really hoped the US to win this one. But really great comeback from 1-0 non the less.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

the best possible result from germany's point of view

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This was a heartbreaking "loss". The US is not out, but they will have to beat Germany or tie them and hope Portugal defeats Ghana.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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