Varela scores in injury time to earn a draw for Portugal

MANAUS: Portugal snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time to force a 2-2 draw with the United States and keep their World Cup hopes flickering on Sunday.

Silvestre Varela headed in a cross from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus to grab a vital point.

The last-gasp leveller deprived the United States of a famous win which would have seen them complete a remarkable qualification from Group G, which also includes Germany and Ghana.

It also saved Ronaldo and Portugal from an embarrassing first round elimination from a group they were firmly expected to qualify from.

The result leaves the United States and Germany level on four points in Group G, with Portugal and Ghana on one apiece.

A draw between the Germans and Americans in the final round of matches on Thursday would see both teams advance.

US coach Jurgen Klinsmann hailed his team´s heroic display. "Obviously the last second is unfortunate but my guys were magnificent," he said. "We just have to get a result against Germany. My guys went to the limit but now they have to pick themselves up and despite this result we will go into the game with a lot of confidence."

Portugal winger Nani had shot the Europeans into the lead on five minutes but Klinsmann´s side rallied thereafter and dominated for long periods.

They got their reward when Jermaine Jones equalised on 64 minutes with a rasping shot. Then nine minutes from time Dempsey chested in a cross to put the US 2-1 up.

It seemed as if that would be enough for victory but Portugal poured forward with one last desperate attack to score. (AFP)