Two of the feel-good stories at the 2023 Rugby World Cup collided Sunday, as Fiji and Portugal met in Toulouse for the final pool match of the tournament.

Coming into the fixture, the Fijians knew that just a single match point would see them through to the quarterfinals.

Portugal, on the other hand, was in search of what would be the country's first Rugby World Cup victory, having come up agonizingly short against Georgia in an 18-all draw in Round 3.

Portugal appeared to be on course for further heartache in what was a seesaw affair against Fiji. 

Having taken a commanding lead, Portugal struggled to manage proceedings, as Fiji came right back into the picture, taking a six-point lead with four minutes to play.

Despite seemingly being down and out, Portugal never gave up the fight.

Potent Finishers

Launching one final attack, the Portuguese wingers exposed the Fijian down the right-hand touchline.

Raffaele Storti, as star of the tournament, broke through the Fijian defense; his teammate Rodrigo Marta was on his shoulder.

Storti then completed a well-timed pass, and Marta sprinted towards the post in a bid to make the conversion easier.

With the two youngsters having done their work, all of the pressure was on 34-year-old scrumhalf Samuel Marques to land the kick.

Lining up initially near the touchline, Marques was given the all-clear by referee Luke Pearce, who then signaled the kicker to be closer to the posts.

The rest, as they say, is history, as Marques slotted the points and, with it, sealed a famous victory.

Du beau jeu et du cœur : vous pouvez être fiers de votre #RWC2023 @PortugalRugby 🇵🇹
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Great play and unbelievable heart: you can be proud of your Rugby World Cup 2023 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/fVFNmovBpa

— Rugby World Cup France 2023 (@France2023) October 8, 2023

On the other hand, Fiji will be furious that it let a golden opportunity to secure another win slip.

Nevertheless, the Pacific Island team will progress to the quarterfinals, where they will face an England team who, too, are not in the best shape.