Mexico Send Kiwis Home

Concacaf Champions Mexico picked up three crucial points in their push for a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final berth, coming from behind to extinguish New Zealand's hopes of the final four with a 2-1 win.

The All Whites could all too easily have been out of sight after talisman Chris Wood spurned a series of chances, even though it was the big striker who opened the scoring. Eight changes from the side who drew with Portugal saw Mexico cut a disjointed unit before equalising.
Raul Jimenez was the one to hammer them level with a thumping finish as El Tri rediscovered their footing, before Oribe Peralta then struck the crucial blow. There was almost late drama, though, as Ryan Thomas thumped the bar as their hopes of staying in the hunt for a semi-final spot evaporated.

 

The result in Sochi saw Mexico leapfrog Portugal, who earlier beat Russia 1-0 in Moscow, into top spot in Group A by the slenderest of margins on goals scored.