They almost had it. Up 2-1 in stoppage time, USA squandered their lead in the final seconds after a header by Portugal's Silvestre Varelain. The game opened with a goal from Portugal's Nani at the 5 minute mark, followed by a slow and grinding remainder of the first half that saw a stoppage for players to hydrate in the intense Brazil humidity. After the half, Jermaine Jones got the United States on the board, followed by a goal from Clint Dempsey at 87' that appeared to seal the win for our national team. Unfortunately, Varelain's aforementioned score five minutes into stoppage time evened it up for a disappointing finish. Had USA won tonight, they would've advanced beyond group play, but now they'll meet Germany on Thursday in to finish off the first round.
Catch the best boots of USA-Portugal, plus Belgium's 1-0 shutout of Russia and Algeria's 4-2 W over Korea Republic after the break.
Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.
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Silvestre Varela Saves Game for Portugal in the F50 Adizero
Shoe: adidas F50 Adizero Battle Pack
Player: Silvestre Varela
Game: Portugal vs. United States
Key Stat: Goal at 90+5'
$220
Jermaine Jones Gets US on the Board in the CTR360 Maestri III
Shoe: Nike CTR360 Maestri III
Player: Jermaine Jones
Game: United States vs. Portugal
Key Stat: Goal at 54'
$160
Clint Dempsey Gives US the Lead in the Hypervenom Phantom
Shoe: Nike Hypervenom Phantom
Player: Clint Dempsey
Game: United States vs. Portugal
Key Stat: Goals at 81'
$225
Islam Slimani Scores 1st of Algeria's 4 Goals in the Hypervenom Phantom
Shoe: Nike Hypervenom Phantom
Player: Islam Slimani
Game: Algeria vs. Korea Republic
Key Stat: Goal at 26'
$225
Divock Origi Leads Belgium to Win in the Mercurial Superfly
Shoe: Nike Mercurial Superfly
Player: Divock Origi
Game: Belgium vs. Russia
Key Stat: Goal at 88'
$275
Yacine Brahimi Adds to Algeria's Lead in the Mercurial Superfly
Shoe: Nike Mercurial Superfly
Player: Yacine Brahimi
Game: Algeria vs. Korea Republic
Key Stat: Goal at 62'
$275
Abdelmoumene Djabou Scores in the Magista Obra
Shoe: Nike Magista Obra
Player: Abdelmoumene Djabou
Game: Algeria vs. Korea Republic
Key Stat: Goal at 38'
$275
Rafik Halliche Piles on Lead in the evoPower 1 Tricks
Shoe: Puma evoPower 1 Tricks
Player: Rafik Halliche
Game: Algeria vs. Korea Republic
Key Stat: Goal at 28'
$200
Riley Jones is a freelance writer from Charlottesville, VA and a contributor to Sneaker Report. With an unshakable affinity for basketball and all things pop culture, he can be found on Twitter @rchrstphr.
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