USA captain AJ Mac-Ginty was almost in tears after the Eagles missed out on the final qualification place to Portugal on points difference.
Portugal secured the draw they needed to make it to a second World Cup when Samuel Marques’ penalty levelled the scores at 16-16 with the clock in the red to win the four-team final qualifying tournament in Dubai and book their place in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.
MacGinty and Marques matched each other kick for kick, converting each of their team’s tries as well as slotting three penalties.
But it wasn’t enough for the USA who m...