USA 2-2 Portugal: Five Talking Points

Football fans could not have asked for anything better as the USA-Portugal match ended in a nerve-racking draw at the Arena Amazônia stadium. Portugal needing a win to keep their chances of progressing past the group stage alive, nearly lost, and were almost knocked out of the World Cup, if not for the magical cross from Cristiano Ronaldo which was headed home by Varela.Portugal live to fight another day and for the USA who were so near yet so far, need at least a draw in their final match in the group stage against Germany to progress to the round of 16.

#5 Jermaine Jones with a silver bullet and an assist

The heat was on for both teams literally as the match was played in humid conditions of the Amazon. The first half was slow paced as it seemed players were still trying to get used to the conditions, and it took a major defensive error from Geoff Cameron to put the Portuguese ahead as Nani put his name on the score sheet as early as 5 minutes from kick-off.

USA were the better team in the first half, but the question remained if they could get past their opponents defence as their main striker Jozy Altidore was out injured and Clint Dempsey was the lone striker.

The equalizer came in the 64th minute from a peaceful Graham Zusi cross which found Jermaine Jones outside the box, who set himself up and delivered a thunder-bolt which curled past the defender Costa leaving the Portuguese goal-keeper Beto a mute spectatoras the ball ended in the back of the net. Jones was also involved in setting-up USA's second goal which was scored by Clint Dempsey in the 81st minute.

Jones, the former U-21 German national, chose to play for the US national team. Awise decision, as he has made a mark at the world stage and will be remembered for his contribution if USA get into the round of 16.

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo sets up Varela\'s last-minute equalizer keeping Portuguese world cup hopes alive

His performance against Germany suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo may not be 100% fit, and there were rumours before the match that he might be out due to injury. However Cristiano Ronaldo was fit and he played an important role in Portugal's attack.

The FIFA world player of the year was kept in check by the US defence for most of the game, but so often as we have seen, it’s that one moment of genius which makes world-class players like Ronaldo a cut above the rest.

The moment however came in the dying minutes of injury time in the second-half with Portugal staring at an early exit: a precision personified, smooth, curling cross from Ronaldo sailed into the box as Varela's header found the back of the net leaving Tim Howard and the rest of the US team shell-shocked.

Now that Portugal live to fight another day, they still need a minor miracle to get to the round of 16. If Ronaldo and team do accomplish this it would be one of the best comebacks in the group stage ever!

#3 The US defence needs to improve if they want to progress

It was a bad start for USA's defence as they conceded a goal due to a miscued clearance from Geoff Cameron, but Tim Howard made some great saves in the match and will be one of the key players for the USA during this World Cup.

Fabian Johnson put on a good performance as not only did he thwart the Portuguese attack on the left, but also moved forward at the right moments to create opportunities. DaMarcus Beasley has settled down well in his new position as a left-back winger. The major concern for the team is the central defence which has been a letdown.

The defence will have to be much more organized as they are up against a formidable German attack in their next encounter. However US goal-keeper Tim Howard is very optimistic and had this to say after the match:

“We're a little disappointed, but still optimistic. We thought we'd put one foot in the Round of 16, but we are where we'd aimed to be before the tournament: Going into the final game with a good chance of progressing.”

“The coaching staff put in place a great game plan. Portugal didn't cause us too many problems and we could have avoided both their goals. We moved the ball around better and had the clearer chances. We're not going to let the last-gasp goal get us down.”

#2 Portugal\'s fight for survival and USA\'s revival

Portugal were seen as the favorites alongside Germany to get through to the round of 16 from Group G. However Ghana and USA have proven that they are no pushovers. The group of death has lived up to the expectations with upset results in all the four matches played till now!

For Portugal it’s a fight for survival as they were outclassed by Germany 4-0 earlier, and it was not an easy task as they were up against an upbeat USA team who got the better of Ghana in the final minutes of their encounter.

USA was sure to give Portugal a run for their money especially with Pepe and Fabio Coentrão out, and injury worries for Cristiano Ronaldo. They did exactly that and a bit more by scoring two goals past Portugal's weak defence. A win here would have guaranteed them a place in the round of 16 and at the same time sent Portugal packing out of the World Cup.

It all changed in the final minutes of the match with Portugal scoring a late equalizer to keep their hopes of making the round of 16 alive, and throwing the group open. For USA it was a mixed result as they were so close yet so far, but still are in a good position to qualify for the round of 16.

The remaining matches (USA -Germany) and (Ghana - Portugal) will be played at the same time, and will have fans of all the four teams follow both the encounters. Portugal will have to win by a big margin against Ghana and hope USA - Germany doesn't end in a draw.

#1 A repeat of the infamous 1982 Germany-Austria \"Non-aggression pact of Gijn\"?

USA and Germany go head-to-head in their final match of the group stage on June 26 leaving very little time for USA to recover and adapt. Will Germany go all-out against USA is the million dollar question since a draw would suffice to get them to the round of 16 which is what team USA need to get past the group stage. If the game ends in a draw, Ghana and Portugal will be knocked out of the World Cup.

FIFA will have a tough time if the USA – Germany match ends in a tame draw even though the other group-stage match between Ghana and Portugal will be played simultaneously. USA’s German coach, Klinsmann has dismissed any possibilities of a re-occurrence of what happened in 1982.

“We have that fighting spirit, and we give everything in every game. We will go to Recife and we will give everything to beat Germany. That is our goal.”