Israel ties Portugal 3:3 in World Cup soccer
92nd minute equalizer by Fábio Coentrão ends dramatic qualifier, leaves national team with a sour taste
Adiv Sterman is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
The Israeli national soccer team threw away a two goal lead to tie 3:3 with Portugal in a World Cup qualifying match played Friday in Ramat Gan.
Despite the general haze and occasional drizzle, the game kicked off on time with more than 40,000 fans in attendance. Tickets to the game, featuring Real Madrid superstar Christiano Ronaldo, were sold out hours after being put on sale.
Portugal started off strong, with front man Bruno Alves scoring a first goal within eighty seconds of the starting whistle.
But 24 minutes later, Tomer Hemed scored an equalizing goal with a dazzling strike that left the Portuguese goalkeeper helpless.
At the 40th minute, Hemed once again managed to overcome the Portuguese defense, this time making a brilliant pass to forward Eden Ben Basat, who sent the ball soaring into the goal.
A corner kick for the Israeli team at the 70th minute made its way above the Portugese defense, and Rami Gershon headed the ball into the goal, setting the score at 3:1 for Israel.
But two minutes later, Ronaldo took advantage of the Israeli defense’s momentary scattering, passing the ball to Hélder Postiga, who sent it past the Israeli goalkeeper.
The Portuguese team completed a sensational comeback two minutes into overtime, as Fábio Coentrão scored the equalizing goal.
Israel and Portugal now have eight points each after five games in the World Cup qualifier’s Group 6, trailing behind Russia, who leads the group with 12 points. The two teams are now battling for second place, a position which will win them a ticket to the World Cup tournament to be played in Brazil, in 2014. On Tuesday, Israel will play North Ireland, in hopes of strengthening its chances to surpass Portugal in the next rounds.
