Fiji survived an almighty scare against a superb Portugal side as they progress to the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, despite losing 24-23 on Sunday.
It was an historic first ever tournament win for Os Lobos as a frantic finish saw them come out on top thanks to a late converted try at Stadium de Toulouse.
While defeat for Fiji will be a tough result to swallow, they still move onto the last-eight of the World Cup at the expense of the Wallabies, who crash out.
Fiji will now face England in the knockout stages while Eddie Jones' Australia head home after bowing out at the pool stage for the first time in their history.
After a scrappy first half ended 3-3, the game came to life in the second half with Portugal seizing the initiative.
The underdogs got the first try in the 45th minute when the impressive Raffaele Storti, who narrowly missed a try in the first half, chased down a kick into the corner from Pedro Bettencourt and stretched to touch down, with Samuel Marques kicking the conversion.
That fired Fiji into life and just three minutes later Levani Botia replied with a powerful run before Frank Lomani levelled the scores with the extras.
But Botia was then sent to the sin bin for making head contact and Portugal were quick to make Fiji pay as they powered their way over the line with Francisco Fernandes touching down, Marques making it 17-10.
Fiji responded once more, working the ball out for Mesake Doge to go over before Lomani tied the scores, and they looked on course for victory as Lomani kicked a couple of penalties in the last 10 minutes to put Fiji 23-17 up.
But there was one last bit of drama as Storti raced towards the line and then fed Rodrigo Marta to finish it off in the 78th minute, with Marques splitting the posts to give Portugal a shock win.
The moments that made history #RWC2023 | #FIJvPOR pic.twitter.com/fc5pMOCisU
― Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 8, 2023
The teams
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Iosefo Masi
Portugal: 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 14 Raffaele Storti, 13 Pedro Bettencourt, 12 José Lima (c), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 9 Samuel Marques, 8 Rafael Simões, 7 Nicolas Martins, 6 David Wallis, 5 Steevy Cerqueira, 4 José Madeira, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Mike Tadjer, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16 David Costa, 17 Duarte Diniz, 18 Anthony Alves, 19 Duarte Torgal, 20 João Granate, 21 João Belo, 22 Tomás Appleton, 23 Vincent Pinto
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
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