It looked good. A terrific comeback win against a supposed powerhouse. First place in the group and the Round of 16 locked up. Glory, glory, USA!

If only. Five minutes into injury time, a pinpoint cross from Cristiano Ronaldo, who spent most of the match whining and diving, found the head of Silvestre Varela. The Portuguese rose over the top of US defenders and headed home past Tim Howard. Seconds later, the whistle blew. 2:2.

Early on, it looked like a tie would be a perfect result. Just five minutes in, a bad Geoff Cameron clearance led to Nani knocking in the opener. The US looked outplayed and outmatched.

Yet the play settled, and the Americans started to control the flow of play. The rare Portuguese attacks were stopped by Howard, who made one of the most amazing saves you've ever seen late in the first half. The initial shot went off the post and rebounded back to Portugal. Howard, with his body on the ground, somehow reached up and parried the ensuing shot wide.

In the second half, Michael Bradley had a terrific opportunity, but his shot was cleared off the line by a defender. Then, in the 64th, Jermaine Jones hit a shot from outside the penalty area that somehow rifled through untouched and tucked in at the right post.

We had the tie, but we wanted more. And then, in the 81st, a Bradley shot delfected and found Graham Zusi alone on the left side in the box. A launch by a Portuguese defender proved futile, as the ball found Clint Dempsey, who put the US ahead.

All they had to do was hold on... but it was not to be. As it stands, the US enters its final group game with an excellent chance of going through... but the glory will have to wait.