(5′) — Nani, 1-0 Portugal
There really isn’t much to say here. Prior to the pass that leads to the goal, Portugal has a solid passing sequence. But the cross into the box is pretty shitty. Luckily for Portugal, Geoff Cameron’s clearance is even shittier and the ball winds up at Nani’s feet, six yards from the goal, with just Tim Howard to beat. Howard falls for a slight fake and literally falls to the ground, and Nani buries it home.
(64′) — Jermaine Jones, 1-1
Again, there isn’t much to break down. A poor clearance by Portugal gives Jones a chance. Once he has the ball, he takes a simple touch to the inside, creating enough space for him to do some damage. From there, he rips a straight laser into the bottom right corner. It’s a shot so dang good that the goalie doesn’t even move.
(81′) — Clint Dempsey, 2-1 USA
Now this is a fantastic goal and demonstrates just how good the U.S. was yesterday. The buildup starts in the midfield, with Bradley playing a square pass to Kyle Beckerman. Beckerman then plays the ball to Jones, who locates DeAndre Yedlin lurking on the right flank. Jones plays a through ball with pace to Yedlin. With Dempsey in the middle of the penalty box, Yedlin takes one touch then places a ball on the ground towards Dempsey. But, a Portugal defender is able to get the slightest of touches on the ball and it is redirected towards the top of the box to Bradley. His first touch on the ball is poor and his shot is blocked, but the ball deflects to the left side of the box where Zusi is waiting. In a second that seemed to last five seconds, Zusi crosses the ball back to Dempsey — who is wisely onsides — and Dempsey pushes the ball in off his groin/stomach area.
(95′) — Silvestre Varela, 2-2
You can’t see it in the video above, but the most crucial part of this play comes right before Portugal begins its final assault on the U.S. Michael Bradley, considered by many to be the best player on the USMNT, is stripped of the ball in the midfield and that is how Portugal is able to knot up the game.
Once beginning the attack, the ball is played out to Ronaldo who is matched up against DaMarcus Beasley. Uh oh.
Instead of beating Beasley, Ronaldo decides to cooly whip in one of the best crosses you’ll ever see. Varela, who sneaks behind the defense with a nice run into the box, redirects the header into the goal, breaking the hearts of every American soccer fan.
[genericon icon=twitter] Follow Sean Wagner-McGough on Twitter @seanjwagner
