Portugal record famous win over Fiji
MATCH REPORT: Portugal made history, recording their first World Cup win at Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday.
The Portuguese secured a hard-fought 24-23 win over Fiji on Sunday.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!
The Pool C clash was extremely entertaining, with the Europeans outscoring the Fijians three tries to two.
The result is an incredible feat for Portuguese rugby.
Despite the defeat, Fiji, who only needed one point from the game to qualify for the play-offs, finished runners-up in Pool C behind Wales.
The Fijians will face England in the quarterfinals, while Eddie Jones’ Wallabies has been eliminated.
Australia’s future in the competition rested with Os Lobos denying the Flying Fijians a point from this final Pool C match.
And that remained a possibility for most of the game, with the 3-3 half-time scoreline raising the prospect of Patrice Lagisquet guiding Portugal to their maiden win in his final match as head coach.
His team flew out the traps in the second half and wing Raffaele Storti outpaced the Fijians to score Portugal’s opening try.
With Fiji rattled, Rodrigo Marta gathered a high ball and raced forward in a thrilling attack.
However, Fiji fullback Sireli Maqala scooped the loose ball and weaved his way through the red shirts as Fiji launched an attack of their own.
He was eventually brought to the ground but the impetus was there for Levani Botia to barrel over, his converted try making it 10-10.
The props then came to the fore in this astonishing encounter.
Francisco Fernandes forced his way over while Botia was in the sin bin and it took a further 17 minutes for Fiji to level through Mesake Doge, also crossing the try line from close range.
Two late Frank Lomani penalties looked as if they had ended the game as a contest only for Marta’s late try and Samuel Marques’s nail-biting conversion at the death giving Portugal a historic victory.
Man of the match: The award goes to the Portugal hooker Mike Tadjer. The No.2 put his body on the line for his team, making loads of carries. He was solid in defence and even showed his kicking skills with a monstrous kick.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Botia, Doge
Cons: Lomani 2
Pens: Lomani 3
For Portugal:
Tries: Storti, Fernandes, Marta
Cons: Marques 3
Pen: Marques
Yellow card: Levani Botia (Fiji, 49 – dangerous tackle)
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Iosefo Masi.
Portugal: 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 14 Raffaele Storti, 13 Pedro Bettencourt, 12 José Lima (captain), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 9 Samuel Marques, 8 Rafael Simões, 7 Nicolas Martins, 6 David Wallis, 5 Steevy Cerqueira, 4 José Madeira, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Mike Tadjer, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16 David Costa, 17 Duarte Diniz, 18 Anthony Alves, 19 Duarte Torgal, 20 João Granate, 21 João Belo, 22 Tomás Appleton, 23 Vincent Pinto
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) & Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Additional reporting: @WorldRugby
