Portugal claim third place at Confederations Cup after extra-time win over Mexico
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ByEurosport
Updated 02/07/2017 at 17:28 GMT
Confederations Cup, third-place play-off, Otkrytie Arena - Portugal 2 (Pepe 90'+1, Adrien Silva 104) Mexico 1 (Neto 54 own goal)
Referee Fahad Al Mirdasi attempts to stop the two teams from clashing during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Play-Off for Third Place between Portugal and Mexico at Spartak Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
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Adrien Silva scored a penalty in extra-time as Portugal came from behind to secure third-place in the Confederations Cup with a thrilling 2-1 win over Mexico.
El Tri led from early in the second period through Luis Neto’s unfortunate own-goal, which came slightly against the run of play, but then defender Pepe popped up with a dramatic late equaliser in the first minute of added time to send the game into extra-time.
It was nothing less than the European champions deserved as they created numerous opportunities, despite the unavailability of Cristiano Ronaldo who left the tournament after his country's semi-final defeat to Chile on penalties to meet his new-born twins.
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Portugal celebrate Pepe's goal
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Andre Silva had a first-half penalty expertly saved by Guillermo Ochoa, but his namesake Adrien Silva made no mistake in extra-time when he sent the Mexican goalkeeper the wrong way, after Miguel Layun handled in the area, and there was no way back for the Gold Cup winners.
Both teams ended the match with 10 men with Nelson Semedo sent off on 106 minutes and Raul Jimenez of Mexico also seeing red six minutes later for a second booking. Under-pressure Mexican head coach Juan Carlos Osorio was also sent to the stands in the dying moments after appealing to the referee for a penalty as Hector Moreno appeared to be bundled over in the box.
TALKING POINT
Pepe to the rescue: Portugal were down and out, until their heroic defender saved the day with a last-gasp equaliser with his first international since June 2012. From there, the momentum swung the way of the European champions and they grabbed the winning goal their performance deserved.
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Pepe
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico): The 31-year-old made a clever save from Andre Silva’s well-taken spot-kick, before denying Gelson Martins with a terrific reaction stop. It would seem Mexico would win the game from there, but it wasn’t to be.
PLAYER RATINGS
Portugal: Patricio 7; Semedo 6, Pepe 8, Neto 7, Eliseu 7; Martins 7, Danilo 6, Moutinho 6, Pizzi 7, Nani 6; Andre Silva 6. Subs: William 6, Gomes 5, Quaresma 7, Adrien Silva 7.
Mexico: Ochoa 8; Araujo 6, Moreno 7, Marquez 6, Layun 7; Reyes 6, Herrera 6, Guardado 6; Vela 6, Hernandez 7, Peralta 6. Subs: Jonathan dos Santos 5, Fabian 5, Lozano 6, Jimenez 5.
KEY MOMENTS
15’ - PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! A lovely through ball is played through to Silva behind the Mexican defence. The forward's first touch is perfect, but then he's brought down by Marquez. The referee initially waved play on, but after consultation with the VAR, he eventually points to the spot!
16’ - MISSED! Silva steps up... and sees his low shot to the left saved by Ochoa! A wonderful save from the Mexican goalkeeper.
30’ - TERRIFIC SAVE! Absolute quality from Vela, as the winger slides through Hernandez with a wonderful reverse ball. The Mexican striker has the goal at his mercy, but his powerful shot is somehow saved by Rui Patricio who does brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.
54’ - OWN-GOAL! Mexico have the lead! Luis Neto, on his first appearance in the Confederations Cup, puts the ball into his own net. Hernandez had delivered a ball across the six yard box and it's taken an unfortunate bounce off the Portuguese defender.
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Luis Neto of Portugal scores a own goal for Mexico's first goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Play-Off for Third Place between Portugal and Mexico at Spartak Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Moscow, Russia.
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61’ - WONDERFUL SAVE! A reaction one-handed stop from Ochoa keeps out Martins' header from only a few yards!
90’+1 GOAL! Pepe saves the day for Portugal! The defender is in the penalty area to meet a wonderful cross from Quaresma. He throws a boot at it and the ball ends up in the back of the net. What a time to score!
102’ - PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! Layun handles in the penalty area and the referee has no choice other than to point to the spot!
104’ - GOAL! Portugal are in front as Adrien Silva coolly dispatches the penalty as he sends Ochoa the wrong way.
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Portugal's midfielder Adrien Silva (R) celebrates with Portugal's forward Andre Silva after scoring a goal during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup third place football match between Portugal and Mexico at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on July 2, 2017.
Image credit: Getty Images
106’ - RED CARD! The drama continues as Portugal are reduced to 10 men. Semedo is given a second yellow card for a high boot on Lozano.
111’ - RED CARD! Jimenez is given his marching orders, as he receives his second booking of the game. It was a clumsy and needless foul on Eliseu, and it makes Mexico's task of finding an equaliser even more difficult.
KEY STAT
Pepe scored his first competitive goal for Portugal since June 2012
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