Emotional match for third place - Portuguese triumph after extra time (VIDEO)

2017-07-02 14:09

At 15 o'clock Lithuania time in Moscow, the penultimate match of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup took place. In the battle for bronze, the teams that lost their semifinals - Portugal and Mexico from Group A clashed. In a heated and more than 90 minutes demanding battle for third place, the result 2-1 triumphed the European champions without Cristiano Ronaldo. Fernando Santos' students started the match very actively and posed a threat to the Mexican goal. In the 16th minute, the champions of the Old Continent had a perfect opportunity to take the lead, but the young Andre Silva failed to convert the penalty he earned. The Mexicans had their first real chance to take the lead in the 30th minute when Javier Hernandez received the ball perfectly in the penalty area, but Rui Patricio showed an amazing reaction. During the remaining first half, both teams did not create more serious opportunities, so the entire struggle moved to the next 45 minutes. The Mexicans started the second half much more threatening than their opponents and did not take long to score the first goal - in the 54th minute after a fake pass from J. Hernandez, the ball crossed the goal line hitting the leg of Portuguese defender Luis Neto. After the missed goal, the Portuguese national team activated their attacking forces and had a good opportunity in the 60th minute with Pizzi, but this player failed to score after a great pass by Gelson Martins. Just a few minutes later, the Portuguese had another excellent chance to score, with G. Martins in the center of the action. The winger shot completely free from a few meters away, but Guillermo Ochoa showed an incredible reaction. The remaining regular time went smoothly for the Mexicans, but the Portuguese did not give up until the last minute. In the first minute of added time, Portugal managed to equalize - after Ricardo Quaresma's pass, Pepe scored and led the teams to extra time. During extra time, the Mexicans also tried to play aggressively. In the 97th minute, Hirving Lozano had a good chance, but R. Patricio guarded his left goal post well and prevented the Mexicans from scoring. However, later on, the European champions showed their advantage, having a chance to take another penalty in the 105th minute. The Mexican defender played with his hand in the penalty area, and this time, Adrien Silva, who took the penalty, defeated G. Ochoa. The second half of extra time started with a loss for the Portuguese - Nelson Semedo received his second yellow card and was sent off the field, but the Mexicans did not enjoy the advantage for long - in the 112th minute, Raul Jimenez also received his second yellow card and was sent off. During the rest of the extra time, the Mexicans pressed their opponents, the referee had to calm down the heated emotions and even remove the coach of the Mexican national team, but the main goal for Mexico was not achieved and the bronze medals went to the Portuguese. Result: Portugal 2 - 1 Mexico 54' [0 - 1] Neto (own goal) 90+1 [1 - 1] Pepe 105' [2 - 1] Adrien Silva (penalty) 16' A. Silva (Portugal) missed a penalty 106' N. Semedo (Portugal) sent off 112' R. Jimenez (Mexico) sent off