World Cup

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Attendance: 40,123

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 22, 2014 at 11pm UK

USA USA
2-2
Portugal

Jones (64'), Dempsey (81')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Nani (5'), Varela (90+5')

Player Ratings: USA 2-2 Portugal

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: June 23 2014 | 02:16

Last updated: June 26 2014 | 09:51

Sports Mole takes a look at who caught the eye during USA's dramatic 2-2 draw with Portugal in Group G of the World Cup this evening.

Silvestre Varela handed Portugal a World Cup lifeline this evening as his 95th-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for his side against USA in Manaus.

The Americans were seconds away from a place in the last 16 after goals from Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey had overturned Nani's early strike, but Varela's header ensured that the spoils were shared.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed in another enthralling World Cup clash.

USA players pose before a Group G football match between USA and Portugal at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2014 © Getty Images

USA

Goal

Tim Howard: Mixed bag for Howard. Went down too early for the opening goal, making things easier for Nani, while he almost allowed a shot from the same player through on the stroke of half time. He recovered to make a brilliant stop from the rebound of that, however, while he also made a couple of decent saves in the second half. (7/10)

Defence

Fabian Johnson: Another superb, tireless display from the full-back. He bombed down the right flank all night despite the stifling conditions in Manaus, causing the left side of Portugal's defence untold problems. They simply couldn't deal with him at times. (8/10)

Geoff Cameron: Was at fault for the opener as his sliced clearance gifted the ball to Nani. Recovered well and put a solid shift in for the next 90 minutes until he was caught slightly out of position for the equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time. (5/10)

Matt Besler: Sturdy performance from the centre-back as he helped keep Ronaldo relatively quiet all night. Dealt with the physical threat of Eder well. (7/10)

DaMarcus Beasley: Did some good work defensively in an intriguing battle with Nani. Both got the better of each other on separate occasions, but Portugal's main threat came from their right. Was out of position for the opening goal. (6/10)

Midfield

Alejandro Bedoya: Was relatively anonymous all night. Johnson provided the main threat down the right, with Bedoya being taken off with 20 minutes to play. (6/10)

Kyle Beckerman: Solid performance without anything particularly special. Perhaps could have closed down quicker in the middle of the park, but did a decent job of shadowing Ronaldo when he dropped deep. (7/10)

Michael Bradley: Had more of an influence on this game than against Ghana, but can also be faulted for two match-changing incidents. The first saw him miss a sitter from close range - although a lot of credit has to go to the defender for that - while the second saw him lose the ball in the dying stages, allowing Portugal to break and score the equaliser. (5/10)

Jermaine Jones: Like Beckerman, did a decent job protecting the back four from Ronaldo, and also got his name on the scoresheet with a magnificent strike to level the scores at 1-1. (7/10)

Graham Zusi: Failed to provide Dempsey with enough support in the first half, but did rectify that a little in the second with a composed assist to help his side take the lead. (7/10)

Attack

Clint Dempsey: Led by example with a superb first-half display that saw him plow a lone furrow up front for large spells. Always looked most likely to score for his side and did so in unorthodox fashion to give USA the lead. Best player on the park. (8/10)

Substitutes

DeAndre Yedlin: Had a chance to take the ball into the corner and kill off the few remaining seconds, but played it infield, which allowed Portugal to steal it and go and score the equaliser. (6/10)

Chris Wondolowski: Came on with just three minutes of normal time remaining and saw little of the ball with USA in defensive mode. (6/10)

Omar Gonzalez: Entered the game as an extra defender in the 91st minute but could do nothing about the equaliser. (6/10)

Portugal players pose before a Group G football match between USA and Portugal at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2014 © Getty Images

PORTUGAL

Goal

Beto: Solid display from the goalkeeper, who could do nothing about either USA goal. Made a number of stops in the first half, but all were fairly routine. (7/10)

Defence

Joao Pereira: Struggled to make an impact on the game. Portugal had more joy on his flank than on the left, but Pereira was anonymous for large spells. (6/10)

Ricardo Costa: Solid performance as he helped limit USA to long shots for much of the match. Produced a world-class clearance off the line to deny Bradley with his side still leading 1-0. (7/10)

Bruno Alves: Was solid for much of the match, but partially at fault for the second USA goal. Having only cleared the ball as far as Bradley, he then took an age to get up, playing Dempsey onside for the finish. (6/10)

Andre Almeida: Spent a lot of his time in the first half as a left midfielder rather than in defence. Was taken off at half time as a precaution, and that only seemed to exacerbate the problems down Portugal's left. (5/10)

Midfield

Joao Moutinho: Looked to be the most creative of Portugal's midfielders, but struggled to link up with his strikers to any great effect for most of the game. (7/10)

Miguel Veloso: Solid enough game, but didn't make a huge impact on proceedings. Was moved out onto the left to stem the flow of USA attacks on that flank, but couldn't stop Johnson bombing forward. (6/10)

Raul Meireles: Also spent time on the left in an attempt to stop USA, but had even less success. Sent a few passes astray and overall had an ineffective evening. (5/10)

Attack

Nani: Typically inconsistent from Nani. He was a threat at times and looked capable of creating something to add to what was a fortunate but confidently-taken goal, but also wasted a few good positions. (7/10)

Helder Postiga: Only played 16 minutes before being forced off through injury. Could not make an impact in that time. (6/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Certainly not his best night as he struggled to exert his usual authority on the field. However, like Lionel Messi, he produced the goods for his side when it really mattered, playing in an inch-perfect cross for Varela in the final seconds to keep his side in the World Cup. (7/10)

Substitutes

Eder: Came on for the injured Postiga in the 16th minute and, after a slow start, began to grow into the game. Had a couple of sights of goal, but couldn't trouble the keeper. (7/10)

William Carvalho: Looked very impressive having replaced Almeida at half time. Powerful runner from midfield and good on the ball. May have earned himself a start for the next game. (7/10)

Silvestre Varela: Had very little impact in his 20-minute cameo until he scored the dramatic late equaliser. It was a good run and finish from the winger to keep his side in the tournament. (7/10)