Cristiano Ronaldo produces last gasp moment of magic vs USA
In contrast to the Americans, whose dramatic victory over Ghana had given Jurgen Klinsmann’s team the perfect start to Group G, Portugal went into this fixture in disarray after being routed 4-0 by Germany earlier.
Ronaldo, subdued by the Germans last Monday, began with intent at the Arena Amazonia. It was as though the Portugal captain had been stung by Klinsmann’s pre-match comments that the Americans would win the game if they were able to ‘put Ronaldo in his place.’
And within seconds of his wizardry on the touchline which energised the crowd, Ronaldo was celebrating Portugal’s opening goal when Nani took advantage of shambolic American defender to score.
The Manchester United winger took a touch to control the ball before shooting past his former Old Trafford team-mate, American goalkeeper Tim Howard, from six yards, but he was perhaps taken aback by the ball actually reaching him in the first place.
Geoff Cameron, the Stoke City defender, swung a leg at a tame cross in the penalty area, but his miscue saw the ball drop to Nani. Howard then made the chance easier for him by going to ground far too early, leaving the Portuguese to claim only his fifteenth international goal.
The United States responded well, however, and the fighting spirit within their ranks as Portugal began to concede possession and invite the Americans forward.
There would be no stopping Jones’s goal - his right-foot curler from 25 yards was right up there with Lionel Messi’s winner against Iran and Robin van Persie’s header against Spain.
Dempsey’s was not quite so eye-catching, but it looked set to secure victory for the States until Ronaldo intervened with his cross for Varela’s injury-time equaliser.
Just when Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be heading out of the World Cup, he produced the moment of magic which the world had been waiting for.
Five minutes into stoppage time in the searing heat of Manaus, with Portugal trailing 2-1 and in the departure lounge ready for the flight home, a stunning Ronaldo cross was converted by substitute Varela to deny the United States a place in the second round and keep Portugal alive.
The challenge for Ronaldo now is to prove he deserves to stick around for a while longer in Brazil.
It will require them a big victory against Ghana on Thursday, and a victor in a Germany-USA game in which both teams need only a draw to progress.
Algeria within touching distance of knockout stage
Algeria had not scored for 28 years at a World Cup before their goal against Belgium and having pushed the group's strongest team hard in a narrow 2-1 defeat, the North Africans were far too strong for South Korea.
It was a surprise result for those who remember South Korea playing in a semi-final on home soil 12 years ago. This was their eighth successive tournament appearance, whereas Algeria had won just one World Cup game, beating Chile back in 1982.
The Algerians, though, much like Costa Rica, are a rising power. Ranked 22nd in Fifa's rankings, they were 35 places ahead of their opponents in Porto Alegre. It was not a false position as South Korea were obliterated inside the first 30 minutes.
Islam Slimani gave Algeria the lead, running on to a long ball from Carl Medjani through the middle of terribly compliant South Korean centre backs.
Algeria doubled their lead two minutes later, Rafik Halliche allowed to head in Abdelmoumene Djabou's corner unmarked and with goalkeeper Jung Sungryong making a mess of an attempted punch.
Djabou continued the rout when he turned in a pass from Slimani, who had drawn the hapless defenders towards him after another long ball had caught them out of position. If England's defending at this tournament has been poor, this was downright embarrassing.Worse looked likely in the second half, but South Korea were the next to benefit from a defence's inability to cope with a long ball, as Madjid Bouguerra made a mess of things and Son Heungmin shot through the legs of Rais Mbolhi.
Algeria decided attack was the best form of defence and they crushed the South Korean revival through one of their outstanding performers, as Yacine Brahimi finished off a classy move.
Algeria know a draw against Russia would be good enough to book them a place in the second round for the first time. A small piece of World Cup history is on the verge of being written.
Belgium advances with late goal over Russia
The game began at a furious pace but slowed considerably as exhaustion set in.
It didn't necessarily live up to the billing of the best Group H match, but Belgium is through knowing it took care of business.
Locked in a 0-0 stalemate, in the 88th minute, Belgian wizard Eden Hazard found Divock Origi cutting towards the goal, fed him and the latter did not disappoint.
The win guarantees a spot in the knockout rounds for Belgium.
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