Fiji secured a quarter-final towards England in Marseille in per week’s time however the glory in a mesmerising match at Stadium de Toulouse went to Portugal as they received their first ever Rugby World Cup sport.

Australia’s future within the competitors rested with Os Lobos denying the Flying Fijians a degree from this ultimate Pool C match, the final of 40 pool stage contests at Rugby World Cup 2023.

That remained a risk for many of the sport, with the 3-3 half-time scoreline elevating the prospect of Patrice Lagisquet guiding Portugal to their maiden win in his ultimate match as head coach.

His workforce flew out the traps within the second half and wing Raffaele Storti outpaced the Fijians to attain Portugal’s opening attempt. With Fiji rattled, Rodrigo Marta gathered a excessive ball and raced ahead in an exhilarating assault. Nonetheless, Fiji full-back Sireli Maqala scooped the free ball and weaved his means by way of the pink shirts as Fiji launched an assault of their very own. He was finally delivered to floor however the impetus was there for Levani Botia to barrel over, his transformed attempt making it 10-10.

The props then got here to the fore on this astonishing encounter. Francisco Fernandes compelled his means over whereas Botia was within the sin bin and it took an additional 17 minutes for Fiji to stage by way of Mesake Doge, additionally crossing the attempt line from shut vary. Two late Frank Lomani penalties regarded as if they’d ended the sport as a contest just for Marta’s late attempt to Samuel Marques’s nail-biting conversion on the demise giving Portugal a historic victory. Fiji progress in second place behind Wales in Pool C due to their dropping bonus level.

Report by World Rugby.