Hilsenbeck’s clutch penalty lifts USA over Portugal in Nations Cup classic

Chris Hilsenbeck slotted a 78th-minute long-range penalty as the USA snatched a dramatic 30-29 win over Portugal, despite winger Manuel Cardoso Pinto finishing with a four-try haul for Os Lobos in this World Rugby Nations Cup classic.

Portugal lost another back-and-forth contest between the sides in late 2024 and were a couple of minutes away from avenging that defeat on Saturday. Cardoso Pinto was in remarkable form all night but it wasn’t to be for the visitors in Denver.

Red cards to fly-half Manuel Vareiro and Pedro Vicente saw Portugal go down to at least 14 men on a couple of occasions, with a yellow to lock Martim Bello hurting the side as well. But it didn’t take away from a Test true to its name, with this match having a bit of everything.

Os Lobos scrum-half Samuel Marques kicked off the match, and it took Cardoso Pinto less than two minutes to cross for the opener. Vareiro put a kick ahead for the winger to chase, with the try-scorer winning the race to the ball, which sat up perfectly within the in-goal.

There was a sense of déjà vu when Cardoso Pinto scored again seven minutes later, running after another kick ahead. This time it was fullback Vincent Pinto who put boot to ball, with the bounce of the rugby ball not favouring the USA’s Mitch Wilson.

Portugal were playing at more than a point a minute, but the USA got themselves into a position to hit back almost immediately. Cory Daniel peeled off a scrum and was stopped just shy of the try line before scoring out wide a couple of phases later.

The USA went down to 14 men soon after, with midfielder Tavite Lopeti shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Portugal made the most of their one-man advantage, with Cardoso Pinto completing a hat-trick in the 23^rd minute.

Another card was shown a few minutes later, with Martim Belo told to sit down on the sidelines for 10 minutes. Paddy Ryan crashed over for a crucial score soon after, and there was still plenty of drama left in the half.

Vareiro went up for a high ball and caught USA debutant Perry Mayo with his boot. The fly-half was shown a yellow card under review, which was eventually upgraded to a 20-minute red card, which saw the match’s momentum swing in the USA’s favour.

In the final play of the first half, USA inside centre Dominic Besag ran in a try which levelled the scores at 19-all. Hilsenbeck then stepped up for the conversion, which gave the Eagles their first lead of the night.

Marques nailed a 50th-minute penalty attempt to put Portugal ahead by one, before two quick kicks at the poles by Hilsenbeck saw the USA regain some control. The home side led by five with 20 minutes left in the Test.

Cardoso Pinto brought the two teams level after benefiting from a long cut-out pass from fellow winger Raffaele Storti, and the successful conversion put the visitors ahead. But ill-discipline was again a factor for Os Lobos.

Pedro Vicente was shown a red card with less than 20 minutes remaining, seeing Portugal go down to 14 men for the last quarter of the contest. Portugal were almost able to hang on for the win but a 78th-minute Hilsenbeck penalty put the hosts up by one.