Portugal had a famous 24-23 victory over Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, but it wasn’t enough to save the Wallabies from being eliminated from the tournament.
The Wallabies would need a miracle to reach the finals, with Portugal needing to beat Fiji and deny their Pacific rivals a bonus point loss.
And although Os Lobos completed the first part of its negotiations, a narrow victory still handed Fiji the loss bonus point they needed to advance to the quarter-finals for the third time in their history.
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“It’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable. They always find resources that I wouldn’t expect,” said outgoing head coach Patrice Lagiske.
“The way they score is amazing. They still amaze me four years later, even though we’ve put in a lot of effort to be able to do things like that.
“This is a great group, a great team, and they’re really talented players.”
A stilted but highly entertaining first half saw both teams tied at a 3-3 stalemate, but Portugal took the lead in the second half with a try from Raffaele Sorti’s cross.
Portugal looked to extend their advantage even further with another attack from Rodrigo Malta soon after, but Sileri Maukala’s brilliant counterattack allowed Levani Botia to equalize again.
Botia was then sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and Portugal built up an extra man advantage with Francisco Fernandes ducking under.
Fiji’s replacement prop, Mesaka Dozier, fought back again, but two penalties from Frank Romani gave Fiji a 23-17 lead before the end.
However, Marta electrified the crowd with a late goal that brought Os Lobos within one point. On the same ground where his last-minute penalty against Georgia went horribly wide, Samuel Marche scored Portugal’s famous goal with a sideline conversion. win.
“I think it’s the best moment of my life,” said Nicolas Martins, the man of the match, after the match, where Portugal celebrated with a large crowd of supporters.
Fiji will face England in the quarter-finals in Marseille next week, but their achievement was overshadowed by scenes of jubilation among Portugal’s players and supporters at full time.
Coach Waissea Nayasevel said: “Congratulations to the Portuguese national team. Hats off to them. They played really well today.”
“We didn’t execute a lot of plays, we dropped a lot of balls, and they took advantage of our mistakes.
“I salute them and congratulate them on their victory.
“For us, we need to go back and look at our mistakes and challenges.
Pool winners Wales will face Argentina in the other quarter-final on this side of the draw after defeating Japan 39-27 in the final pool match.
In other quarter-final matches, Ireland will face New Zealand and France will face South Africa.
Take a look back at how all the action unfolded with our live blog.
live updates
Written by Simon Smail
put things together
This concludes tonight’s interview.
Thank you very much for joining us on what was ultimately a disappointing night for the Wallabies (and Fijians) but a very good night for Portuguese rugby.
Congratulations to Portugal and also to Fiji.
All coverage of the rest of the tournament can be found on the ABC Sport website, but for now I’ll say good morning to you.
Written by Simon Smail
Advancement to the quarterfinals decided
The quarter-finals are now set in stone, with two tantalizing fixtures on one side of the draw and two equally interesting fixtures on the other.
QF1 – Wales vs Argentina – Stade de Marseille
QF2 – Ireland vs New Zealand – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
QF3 – England vs Fiji – Stade de Marseille
QF4 – France vs South Africa – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
But some good news – the Wallabies have automatically qualified for the next World Cup in 2027 by finishing third in their group – and that’s all well and good.
Written by Simon Smail
‘Needs to re-evaluate’: Fiji looks forward
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwarui doesn’t look like the man who just led his team to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
“Congratulations to Portugal for their persistence. Credit to them for persevering and getting the try at the end,” he said.
“It’s a shame to miss out on the win. We were a bit tired in terms of the content of the game, but Portugal will have fun tonight.”
Fiji need an urgent reassessment after two lackluster performances against Georgia and Portugal, ahead of next week’s crucial quarter-final against England.
“We have to reassess tomorrow and recover. They are a very good tournament team, England, but we will reassess that first.”
Written by Simon Smail
“Today we showed the world that we can compete and win.”
Portugal captain Jose Lima said today that the result was a big moment for Portuguese rugby.
“Of course you can see our fans,” he says.
“Our team very much deserved that win.
“I think today we showed the world that we can compete and win at this level.”
He says the team has been working hard over the past month and even though they were tired, they always believed.
“I think when you’re tired it comes from the fact that you have to think about everything first.
“We said that at half-time and when you see this, it’s unbelievable.”
Written by Simon Smail
Quarterfinal team photo
There’s not much joy on Fijian faces at the moment.
No wonder.
They were second best today.
Will they be able to get back on their feet for the game against England in a week’s time?
Written by Simon Smail
incredible scene
Rugby union won’t overtake soccer in Portugal anytime soon, but this scene is unusual.
Written by Simon Smail
Delightful scenery of Toulouse
Portuguese fans are singing.
Portuguese players are crying.
An incredible scene.
The Portuguese coach just spoke, but when asked about the fans, he simply said the players were “surprised” and “we love them.”
Written by Simon Smail
“This is the best moment of my life”: Martins
Nicolás Martins from Portugal is speaking.
“It feels incredible,” he says.
“We have put a lot of effort into it, so there is nothing to say.
“This is historic, I’m very happy and it’s the best moment of my life.
“We are a team of friends and it’s incredible living together.
“Fiji played well, but this much… there are no words.”
Written by Simon Smail
Wallabies withdraw from Rugby World Cup
Written by Simon Smail
Portugal secures famous victory
They did it! The stands are in a state of excitement! Euphoria on the pitch!
This is magic!
Portugal deserved this victory. They shined at this Rugby World Cup, emerging as the most impressive team of all the lower-ranked nations.
A 24-23 win wasn’t enough for the Wallabies. The Wallabies are still out of the competition as Fiji picked up a loss bonus point.
But tonight it’s about Portugal.
Written by Simon Smail
78′ Portugal scores with a late try!
Great from Portugal!
Patience – great hands – Portugal finally broke through on the left.
Raffaele Storti breaks through the blindside and Rodrigo Marta finishes!
Portugal has a kick to victory!
It’s from the sideline. Scrumhalf Samuel Marquez will be alongside him.
He kicks it!
Portugal leads 24-23!
Written by Simon Smail
75 min penalty Fiji
The Portuguese player put his hand in the ruck and Frank Romani gave him a light slap in frustration.
Romani will look to extend his lead from the kick tee here.
The ball was 42 meters out, banged in front and he scored it!
Fiji leads 23-17!
Written by Simon Smail
Mike Tudger leaves the field after receiving a standing ovation.
My player of the match today – he was fantastic.
Written by Simon Smail
73 minutes Fiji penalty
Portugal were accused of being offside.
This would be a very easy penalty to kick just to the left of the uprights and Fiji would opt for it.
Frank Romani lines up a kick.
And he got it!
Fiji hit the center field for the first time in the game and took a 20-17 lead.
Written by Simon Smail
71′ Fiji bring power, Portugal bring flair
It looks like Portugal will use some great moves to attack Fiji 22.
But they lose the ball and Fiji bulldoze down the center of the park from Route 1 and invade the Portugal 22.
Fiji then kicks the runner wide, but the ball is deflected off the sideline.
Portugal had a lineout and cleared the line.
Written by Simon Smail
68th minute Fiji goal!
Pressure is finally spoken!
Despite the best efforts of the Portuguese defenders, it was substitute Mesake Doge who finally found the ball.
Kicks are important – and that’s a good thing!
Fiji came back to an even game at 17-17.
Written by Simon Smail
67 min penalty Fiji
Fiji were awarded a penalty as Portugal closed the ball or tried to break into the ruck, forcing them to kick on touch.
The lineout was well decided 10 meters in front and the maul was completed.
Written by Simon Smail
Here’s the concern…
There probably won’t be a good outcome for Australia here. We’ll either collapse in a heap and miss the quarter, or we’ll make the quarter and end up dragging out the underlying problems for another four years.
-Andrew
Written by Simon Smail
65 minutes Fiji scrum
Fiji’s clear kick collided with the Sky Camera cable, resulting in a scrum for Fiji.
A similar incident allowed England to escape against Samoa yesterday, but it doesn’t seem to matter much at the moment.
Meanwhile, Manuel Cardoso Pinto fell, grimacing and almost limping, so he was replaced by Vincent Pinto.
Written by Simon Smail
63 minutes penalty Fiji
Loose and untidy, Fiji set their field position just outside 22nd with Portugal being flagged for offside.
Portugal lost the ball first, Fiji broke down the field and kicked forward, Portugal spun the ball brilliantly to the left, but a great tackle denied the kick forward, Fiji reversed and earned a penalty. .
Fiji have a lineout but they lose it! Clear Portugal!
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