Varela's last-gasp goal salvages 2-2 draw for Portugal vs. USA

MANAUS, Brazil (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo set up Varela for a late equalizer on a hot and humid night in the jungle Sunday to give Portugal a 2-2 draw with the United States and hope for a spot in the second round of the World Cup. Ronaldo, who has been playing despite a left knee injury, sent in a cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Varela scored with a diving header in the last seconds of the match.

Drawn At The Death: Five Thoughts on the USA's 2-2 draw with Portugal

Nani had scored first for Portugal, shooting past a sprawling Tim Howard in the fifth minute, but the Americans responded in the second half as Portugal seemed to wilt in the stifling heat. Jermaine Jones made it 1-1 with a curling shot in the 64th minute after a cross from Graham Zusi made its way through the Portugal defense. Clint Dempsey, playing with a broken nose, then put the Americans ahead in the 81st.

The United States captain used his stomach to direct the ball into the net from a cross by Zusi. The last-second draw denied the Americans a spot in the second round, but it kept Portugal alive in the tournament.

''Obviously we're disappointed, but at the end of the day you've got to look at the positives, we got a point,'' Dempsey said. ''It's going down to the last game and hopefully we get the job done.''

The United States now has four points in Group G, the same as Germany. Both Portugal and Ghana have one point. The Americans will face Germany on Thursday in Recife, while Portugal takes on Ghana at the same time in Brasilia.

Watch: Jermaine Jones golazo brings USA level with Portugal

''Now we have to go out and beat Germany, that's what we have to do,'' U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. ''We have to play Germany, we have one less day to recover, we played in the Amazon, they played on a place with less travel. We have to do it the tough way.''

It was all Portugal for much of the first half, with Ronaldo in the starting lineup but getting less involved as the match progressed. The Americans, however, started to get more and more chances and even had a shot from Michael Bradley cleared off the line by Ricardo Costa in the 55th. The heat in the Amazon rainforest, however, seemed to slow the Portuguese as the match wore on.

Watch: Clint Dempsey scores USA's go-ahead goal against Portugal

In the 39th minute, referee Nestor Pitana on Argentina called for a cooling break, the first such decision to be taken at the World Cup. At the start of the match, FIFA listed the temperature at 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) with 66 percent humidity. FIFA uses the ''Wet Bulb Globe Temperature'' to determine when official cooling breaks should be added, and says the WGBT must be above 32 degrees C (90 degrees F) for them to be considered.

The breaks are supposed to occur in the 30th and 75th minutes. Dempsey's goal was his fourth at a World Cup and second at this year's tournament. Jones scored his third goal for the United States national team and first in almost two years.

Here's how the roller-coaster evening in Manaus unfolded:

GALLERY: Best shots from USA 2, Portugal 2

U.S. vs. Portugal

U.S. 2, Portugal 2

Tim Howard reacts after Silvestre Varela of Portugal scored the tying goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The 2-2 tie prevented the U.S. from clinching a spot in the Round of 16.

Silvestre Varela's diving header was set up by a cross from Cristiano Ronaldo.

DaMarcus Beasley covers his face in disappointment after the late goal by Portugal denied the U.S. a berth in the round of 16.

U.S. 2, Portugal 2

Clint Dempsey's second goal of the 2014 World Cup came in the 81st minute against Portugal and gave the U.S. a brief 2-1 lead. Dempsey used his stomach to direct the ball into the net from a cross by Graham Zusi.

Dempsey has now scored in both of the U.S. matches, with a Thursday showdown with Germany looming.

Dempsey's go-ahead goal was preceded by Jermaine Jones equalizing goal in the 64th minute.

U.S. 2, Portugal 2

Jermaine Jones made his presence known against Portugal, tying the game at 1-1 with his curling shot after a cross from Graham Zusi made its way through the Portugal defense.

U.S. 2, Portugal 2

Michael Bradley’s shot was excruciatingly saved off the line by Ricardo Costa in the 55th minute against Portugal.

Before his assist on the equalizer, Cristiano Ronaldo had an uneven day. Here he controls the ball against Geoff Cameron (left) and Jermaine Jones.

Ronaldo was playing despite a left knee injury that limited his practice time.

Up until the game-tying goal, it appeared that Ronaldo and his teammates were about to endure the disappointment of an early exit.

U.S. 2, Portugal 2

Tim Howard got off the ground to make this finger-tip save in the first half against Portugal.

A teammate congratulates Tim Howard for his back-to-back first-half saves, but the goaltender was upset with himself for mishandling the ball on the first one.

Clint Dempsey battles Portugal goaltender Beto.

Nani had scored first for Portugal, shooting past a sprawling Tim Howard in the fifth minute.

His goal was the first in this World Cup for Portugal, which was shut out 4-0 by Germany in both team's opener.

Yani waits for his teammates to celebrate the quick goal.

Portugal's forward Nani jumps for the ball in front of DaMarcus Beasley.

Clint Dempsey is challenged by Bruno Alves and Ricardo Costa of Portugal.

Fabian Johnson of the United States is challenged by Raul Meireles of Portugal.

Jermaine Jones of the United States challenges Cristiano Ronaldo.

Clint Dempsey played well despite his broken nose.

The U.S. is tied atop the Group with Germany, both with four points. Portugal is tied with Ghana at one point each.

The U.S. fans were out in force in Manaus.

Portugal was well-represented too.

The United States players line up for the national anthem prior to the match.