Portugal claim bronze at the Confederations Cup

Portugal came from behind to clinch bronze at the FIFA Confederations Cup as they beat Mexico 2-1 after extra-time at Otkrytie Arena on Sunday.

Portugal created the first chance of the game after five minutes as Gelson Martins broke down the right before squaring the ball for Nani, although he was unable to get the right connection and fired wide of the mark.
The Portuguese were handed the chance to open the scoring with 16 minutes gone on the clock after winning a penalty via the video assistant after Marquez brought down Andre Silva in the area.

However, Silva was unable to convert from 12 yards out as Guillermo Ochoa managed to get down low to stop the striker’s low penalty finding the bottom corner. Mexico then looked destined to take the lead with over half an hour played as Javier Hernandez was played in on goal before rifling a stinging shot at goal, although Rui Patricio pulled off a sublime save to deny the striker from inside the area.

The Mexicans were gifted the opening goal nine minutes into the second-half as Hernandez drilled a shot at goal, which Luis Neto was only able to turn into the back of his own net. Martins looked for all the world like he would level matters a few minutes later after thumping a header at goal from just a few feet out, only for the keeper to pull off a phenomenal save with an outstretched arm.

However, Portugal were not to be denied and finally got their goal in the first of four added minutes, Ricardo Quaresma delivering an excellent cross which Pepe just managed to turn home with his outstretched boot.

The Portuguese would go on to turn the game on its head in extra time after winning a penalty for handball in the box, and this time they would make no mistake as Adrien Silva sent the keeper the wrong way to slot his spot kick home.

Both teams would eventually finish the match with 10 men as Portugal’s Semedo was shown a second yellow card for a high boot, while a few minutes later, Mexico’s Raul Rodriguez also picked up a second caution, also for a dangerously high boot.