Portugal gave up a two-goal lead but substitute Silvestre Varela scored in the 87th minute in securing Portugal a 3-2 win over Denmark on Wednesday to remain alive in group B of the Euro 2012.
Portugal jumped ahead 2-0 on goals by Pepe and Helder Postiga in the 24th and 36th minutes, respectively. Niklas Bendtner pulled a goal back for Denmark in the 41st minute and then equalised in the 80th minute at Arena Lviv, Ukraine.
In between, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had missed two golden one-on-one scoring opportunities before Varela's heroics.
The victory moved Portugal to three points in group B.
Revenge of sorts
Portugal gained some revenge after Denmark had beaten it in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Neither coach changed their starting XI from their first group B matches. The Danes, however, were forced to make a change after just 16 minutes with Jakob Poulsen coming in for Niki Zimling.
The Portuguese grabbed the lead — and scored their first goal of the tournament — in the 24th minute. Pepe raced away from the Danish defence to head home Joao Moutinho's corner kick from the left side past Danish keeper Stephan Andersen.
And Paulo Bento's team made it 2-0 after 36 minutes as the Danish defence failed to clear a ball from danger. The ball would land at the feet of Nani, who fed a classy pass from the right side to a charging Postiga, who one-timed his shot past Andersen.
Portugal 'keeper Rui Patricio could not keep Denmark from halving the deficit in the 41st minute with some fine execution. Poulsen's pass went left of goal to Michael Krohn-Dehli, who headed over the 'keeper to an oncoming Bendtner and the Arsenal striker headed in. Ronaldo had a golden chance to make it 3-1 five minutes after the break as he broke out behind the Danish defence but after a long run could not overcome Andersen in a one-on-one situation. Denmark refused to give up and was just inches from equalising as William Kvist's long-distance blast sailed just barely off target after 62 minutes.
Ronaldo again had a great opportunity in the 78th minute with another one-on-one encounter with Andersen.
The superstar striker got the ball past Denmark's 'keeper but it passed well wide right of the upright.
Tough header
And Bendtner penalised Portugal and Ronaldo, equalising in the 80th minute with a tough header off a cross from the right side off Patricio and then the left upright and into the goal. It was his sixth goal in five games against Portugal.
Portugal found its winner though Varela with three minutes left as Fabio Coentrao's cross went to the Porto striker, who missed his first attempt with his left foot but then blasted the ball past Andersen with his right foot.
The Danes had one final chance four minutes into injury time but Lasse Schoene shot over the goal from the right side.
Portugal's final group B encounter is against the Netherlands while Denmark finishes its first round with a match against Germany.
The Result:
Denmark 2 (Bendtner 41 & 80) lost to Portugal 3 (Pepe 24, Postiga 36, Varela 87)
