Mere

Portugal and Sweden share the spoils and set new World Cup scoring record in heated drama

Sweden's Jonathan Carlsbogard in action against Portugal
Sweden's Jonathan Carlsbogard in action against PortugalBeate Oma Dahle / EPA / Profimedia
Portugal took a big step towards getting their best result in the World Cup ever when they drew 37-37 with Sweden in a high-octane match on Wednesday evening which saw the second largest total of goals scored in the tournament ever.

Portugal had won only one match against Sweden so far in the history between the two sides but that didn't seem to affect the players as the outsiders took the lead with goals from the two Costa brothers ensuring that Paulo Pereira’s side was ahead, 8-6, after only 10 minutes of play.

Sweden’s goalkeepers Andreas Palicka and Fabian Norsten only had four saves between them as Francisco Costa, line player Luis Frade and left wing Leonel Fernandes each scored four goals until the break. But in the other end Portugal’s defence also struggled to keep away the Scandinavians for whom nine different players entered their names at least once on the scoresheet in a first half which end 18-18.

The second half continued at a fierce pace as 11 goals were scored in the first six minutes and 30 seconds with the momentum going back and forth and each time Portugal took the lead, Sweden bounced back and never allowed their opponents to go ahead by more than one goal.

In the end the two teams couldn´t be separated, after Rui Silva scored the equalizing goal, with 37 seconds left. With five points and still unbeaten, Portugal lead the group, while Sweden are just behind them, with four points