Frank Gore's touchdown five minutes from time has helped the San Francisco 49ers edge a thrilling NFL season opener 34-28 against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park.
Both sides were aggressive from the outset in a tight first quarter, which saw San Francisco get the first score late on as Colin Kapernick found Vernon Davis with a 20-yard touchdown pass.
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Aaron Rodgers soon responded in kind at the other end, unleashing Randall Cobb within striking distance of the endzone. His spin proved enough to evade two defenders and bring the match level at 7-7.
Kapernick quickly had the 49ers ahead in the second quarter, finding Anquan Boldin to restore the hosts' advantage.
Green Bay once again responded late in the quarter to level through Jermichael Finley, with the tight end surviving some heavy pressure at the line to leave both sides at 14 apiece at the half.
The third quarter continued a tit-for-tat trend as Davis and Jordy Nelson crossed the line at either end, before Eddie Lacy finished off a rapid Pakcers drive to put the visitors 28-24 ahead.
From there the pendulum swing back in San Franisco's favour as Gore hurdled a heap of bodies to score in the closing stages, with Phil Dawson's trusty boot giving the 49ers a late six-point cushion.
Rodgers was unable to engineer a late response in a desperate last-ditch drive as the 49ers held on for a notable opening-day success.
Liam Power
