European Champions Portugal saw off New Zealand 4-0 to win Group A and progress to the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 semi-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, with rumours abound of him being rested ahead of the game, started and was Portugal's protagonist once more. He hit the crossbar with a header before converting a first-half penalty after Danilo had been felled by Tommy Smith.
Despite a bright start, Anthony Hudson's side then conceded again within five minutes, with new Manchester City man Bernardo Silva converting Eliseu's cross after the left-back's purposeful run. Fernando Santos's side stood up well to some concerted pressure from the All Whites after the break, with Andre Silva and Nani's first goals of Russia 2017, the latter coming in stoppage time, serving to rubberstamp all three points. Topping the group means Portugal will face the runners-up of Group B in Kazan on Wednesday 28 June.
Meanwhile, Mexico are in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 after earning a 2-1 victory over ten-man Russia. After Nestor Araujo cancelled out Alexander Samedov’s opening goal for the hosts in the first half, Hirving Lozano headed home Mexico’s winner early in the second half to ensure the CONCACAF champions advanced as runners-up behind Group A winners Portugal. Despite their best efforts, defeat for Russia at the Kazan Arena meant they could not reach the last four at the Tournament of Champions.
The host nation also finished Saturday’s match with ten men after Yury Zhirkov was sent off in the second half. Mexico's second-placed finish means they will face the winner of Group B in their semi-final in Sochi on Thursday 29 June.
Despite a bright start, Anthony Hudson's side then conceded again within five minutes, with new Manchester City man Bernardo Silva converting Eliseu's cross after the left-back's purposeful run. Fernando Santos's side stood up well to some concerted pressure from the All Whites after the break, with Andre Silva and Nani's first goals of Russia 2017, the latter coming in stoppage time, serving to rubberstamp all three points. Topping the group means Portugal will face the runners-up of Group B in Kazan on Wednesday 28 June.
Meanwhile, Mexico are in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 after earning a 2-1 victory over ten-man Russia. After Nestor Araujo cancelled out Alexander Samedov’s opening goal for the hosts in the first half, Hirving Lozano headed home Mexico’s winner early in the second half to ensure the CONCACAF champions advanced as runners-up behind Group A winners Portugal. Despite their best efforts, defeat for Russia at the Kazan Arena meant they could not reach the last four at the Tournament of Champions.
The host nation also finished Saturday’s match with ten men after Yury Zhirkov was sent off in the second half. Mexico's second-placed finish means they will face the winner of Group B in their semi-final in Sochi on Thursday 29 June.
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