Portugal go WILD as they record their first ever Rugby Word Cup win

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Portugal go WILD as they record their first ever Rugby World Cup win with dramatic 24-23 victory over Fiji… but the Pacific Islanders still book quarter-final against England as Australia are dumped out

  • Portugal marked their first-ever Rugby World Cup win with 24-23 victory over Fiji
  • Rodrigo Mata’s 78th-minute try, converted by Samuel Marques, secured the win
  • Portugal’s win knocks out Eddie Jones’ Australia side after their worst ever World Cup performance, failing to make it past the pool stage in tournament history  
  • Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

Portugal secured their first ever Rugby World Cup win in style as they booked their place in the quarter-final, sparking wild celebration from fans and players. 

The historic win meant that Australia’s World Cup campaign came to a crushing end, making it the Wallabies worst ever performance at the tournament. 

Fiji, despite their nail-biting loss to Portugal, managed to secure their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals against England. 

The Pacific Islanders needed just a single point from the game to claim the runner-up position in Pool C, right behind Wales.

This unexpected outcome marks the first time that Australia has failed to advance beyond the pool stage in the history of the tournament.

Manuel Cardoso Pinto of Portugal celebrates the historic win at full-time with fans 

Lima looked overcome with emotion at the full-time whistle for a victory that ‘means so much’

There were wild scenes as the underdogs pulled off the massive upset – and if they’d won by just a few points more, the Wallabies would still be alive in the tournament

Portugal’s Rodrigo Mata celebrates scoring his side’s third and final try in stunning victory

Fiji were trailling by seven points twice during a closely-fought second half. However, after fighting back valiantly, they took a six-point lead as the game approached the final whistle. 

In the 78th minute, Rodrigo Mata scored a sensational try, which was converted by Samuel Marques. Portugal’s heroics secured an unforgettable triumph for them, marking their first ever World Cup win. 

Nicolas Martins, who earned the well-deserved title of man of the match, struggled to find words to describe the magnitude of the moment. ‘We worked a lot for that. I have no words to say, it is historic … I think it is the best moment of my life.

Portugal captain Jose Lima was even brought to tears and said it meant everything to the fans and the players.

‘You can see our fans, our team, that victory means so much,’ Lima said.

‘Today we show the world we can compete at this level, and we can win games at this level as well.’

The celebrations ensued throughout the stadium, with the final-whistle sparking huge roars from the crowds as players took to the pitch with their families to mark the momentous victory.  

Portugal celebrate at full-time after securing first ever World Cup win at Rugby World Cup

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has led Australia to their worst ever result at a World Cup

Portugal captain Jose Lima and Vincent Pinto of Portugal embrace at full-time to celebrate

Rodrigo Mata of Portugal scores his team’s third try of the match – the eventual winner

Portugal’s Nicolas Martins was named man of the match in his country’s finest rugby moment

MATCH FACTS 

Fiji: Maqala; Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu, Tuisova, Habosi; Botitu, Lomani; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Derenalagi, Botia, Mat

Replacements: Ikanivere, Ravai Kovekalou, Doge, Cirikidaveta, Tuisue, Matawalu, Tela, Masi. 

Scorers: Tries – Botia, Doge; Cons – Lomani; Pen – Lomani

Portugal: Cardoso; Storti, Bettencourt, Lima, Marta; Portela, Marques; Fernandes, Tadjer, Ferreira, Madeira, Cerqueira, Wallis, Martins, Simoes.

Replacements: Costa, Diniz, Alves, Torgal, Granate, Belo, Appleton, Pinto. 

Scorers: Tries – Storti, Fernandes, Marta; Cons – Marques; Pen – Marques

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

 

The Wallabies finished with two wins over Georgia and Portugal, and two lossses to Wales and Fiji to miss the World Cup finals for the first time.

The team had stayed in France in the hope Portugal would win by enough to get them out of the pool stage, but will now fly back to Australia on Tuesday.

But Rugby Australia officials have continued to back coach Eddie Jones, who has a five-year contract, despite his links to the Japan head coaching role.

Jones has maintained he is fully committed to the Wallabies despite reportedly doing a secret interview with Japanese rugby officials just days before the start of the World Cup.

The coach was reported reported to have dialed in from Paris for the interview on August 25, just two days before the Wallabies’ warm-up match with France that they lost 41-17.

Japan’s Rugby Football Union later refused to deny that the interview had taken place.

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