Coentrão comes to Portugal's rescue in Israel

Fábio Coentrão's 93rd-minute effort earned Portugal a 3-3 draw in Israel in their FIFA World Cup qualifying Group F encounter.

Portugal had also opened the scoring, through Bruno Alves, after just two minutes. However, Eli Guttman's side were in front by half-time thanks to goals from Tomer Hemed and Eden Ben Basat. Though Rami Gershon doubled Israel's advantage, Hélder Postiga made it 3-2 before Coentrão's late equaliser.

It had been an equally frantic start, with Alves heading Miguel Veloso's corner firmly past Dudu Aouate. Israel took a while to steady themselves but were on level terms on 24 minutes, Yuval Shpungin picking out Hemed, who turned and finished beyond Rui Patrício. The hosts took the lead five minutes prior to the interval when Hemed released Ben Basat, who arrowed a shot into the top right-hand corner.

Gershon's 70th-minute header looked to have earned Israel the win, a result that would have moved them three points clear of Portugal and to within two of group leaders Russia. However, Portugal swiftly cut the deficit back to one, Cristiano Ronaldo laying on Postiga for a comfortable finish, and Coentrão had the final word.

Portugal and Israel are both on eight points, four shy of Russia, ahead of away games on Tuesday against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland respectively.