Silvestre Varela’s 95th-Minute Goal Breaks USA’s Hearts At World Cup (GIF)

The U.S. was mere seconds away from holding on to win 2-1 and clinch a spot in the knockout stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Silvestre Varela had other plans for Portugal, though, as he sailed a beautiful “van Persie-esque” header off a perfect Cristiano Ronaldo cross past goalkeeper Tim Howard to even the score at 2-2 and prevent the United States from clinching.

The Americans were less than a minute away from celebrating one of the biggest victories in the nation’s history, but will instead have to settle for a draw and just one point.

Review our live blog of USA-Portugal >>

See how the U.S. can still advance to knockout round >>

GIF via TwitPic/@FlyByKnite

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@fi_sonic

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