They only needed a draw against the Americans to register their ticket to the 2023 World Cup in France. And at the end of the suspense, the Portuguese rugby team snatched its precious sesame seed against a dominant American team who believed they had done the hardest part by reversing the match scenario.
Os Lobos, the nickname of the Lusitanians, led at half time 10-9, after a try from Biterrois Raffaele Storti. But in the second term, the Americans in turn made an attempt by the hooker Beveleti who pushed them in front twenty minutes before the time (16-13). Three points the Eagles seemed able to hold until the final whistle.
? Portugal back to the World Cup!
On a decisive penalty kick from Samuel Marquez, Portugal snatched a 16-16 tie against the United States and will go to the second World Cup in their history, after 2007!
They will be in group C (?????????????????).#USAvPOR #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Dki8Kcsvm1
– Gauthier Baudin (@Gauthier Baudin) November 18, 2022
But that was without relying on the recent position of the Portuguese Patrice Lajesquet. From about 40 meters away, the opening saw Portela descend, propelled by the pole. Before Guersoa, Samuel Marquez passed the penalty kick, which offered the equalizer and the last place in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers in France to the Portuguese. Indeed, thanks to their victories over Kenya and Hong Kong and a better points average than the United States, the Portuguese beat their opponents in the general classification.
The Portuguese players shed tears after the qualifiers.#USAvPOR #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/NAXpqs98qs
– Gauthier Baudin (@Gauthier Baudin) November 18, 2022
Vincent Pinto, Bigordan winger from the Pau division, will qualify for the World Cup finals, in the group of Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.
