Portugal Go WILD as they Record their First Ever Rugby World Cup Win with Dramatic 24-23 Victory
- 7 months ago
Portugal secured their first-ever Rugby World Cup win in style as they booked their place in the quarter-final, sparking wild celebration from fans and players.
The historic win meant that Australia's World Cup campaign came to a crushing end, making it the Wallabies worst-ever performance at the tournament.
Fiji, despite their nail-biting loss to Portugal, managed to secure their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals against England.
The Pacific Islanders needed just a single point from the game to claim the runner-up position in Pool C, right behind Wales.
This unexpected outcome marks the first time that Australia has failed to advance beyond the pool stage in the history of the tournament.
Fiji was trailing by seven points twice during a closely fought second half. However, after fighting back valiantly, they took a six-point lead as the game approached the final whistle.
In the 78th minute, Rodrigo Mata scored a sensational try, which was converted by Samuel Marques. Portugal's heroics secured an unforgettable triumph for them, marking their first-ever World Cup win.
Nicolas Martins, who earned the well-deserved title of man of the match, struggled to find words to describe the magnitude of the moment. 'We worked a lot for that. I have no words to say, it is historic ... I think it is the best moment of my life.
Portugal captain Jose Lima was even brought to tears and said it meant everything to the fans and the players.
'You can see our fans, our team, that victory means so much,' Lima said.
'Today we show the world we can compete at this level, and we can win games at this level as well.'
The celebrations ensued throughout the stadium, with the final whistle sparking huge roars from the crowds as players took to the pitch with their families to mark the momentous victory.
The historic win meant that Australia's World Cup campaign came to a crushing end, making it the Wallabies worst-ever performance at the tournament.
Fiji, despite their nail-biting loss to Portugal, managed to secure their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals against England.
The Pacific Islanders needed just a single point from the game to claim the runner-up position in Pool C, right behind Wales.
This unexpected outcome marks the first time that Australia has failed to advance beyond the pool stage in the history of the tournament.
Fiji was trailing by seven points twice during a closely fought second half. However, after fighting back valiantly, they took a six-point lead as the game approached the final whistle.
In the 78th minute, Rodrigo Mata scored a sensational try, which was converted by Samuel Marques. Portugal's heroics secured an unforgettable triumph for them, marking their first-ever World Cup win.
Nicolas Martins, who earned the well-deserved title of man of the match, struggled to find words to describe the magnitude of the moment. 'We worked a lot for that. I have no words to say, it is historic ... I think it is the best moment of my life.
Portugal captain Jose Lima was even brought to tears and said it meant everything to the fans and the players.
'You can see our fans, our team, that victory means so much,' Lima said.
'Today we show the world we can compete at this level, and we can win games at this level as well.'
The celebrations ensued throughout the stadium, with the final whistle sparking huge roars from the crowds as players took to the pitch with their families to mark the momentous victory.