Cristiano Ronaldo will be missing in action but Portugal and indeed Mexico have all to play for in Sunday’s third place match in the 2017 FIFA Confederation Cup.
Interestingly, these two teams met in their first match of this tournament and the tie ended in a 2-2 draw.
Unfortunately, both teams flopped in the semi-final last week as Portugal failed the test against Chile in the penalty shoot-out while Mexico were roundly beaten 4-1 by Germany in the other semi-final.
Leaving Russia on a high will be paramount on the minds of these two teams even though the major attraction will be the final clash later tonight.
Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for Live Updates for the third-place match between Portugal and Mexico. Kick-off is 1 p.m.
The starting line-up for both teams are now out
Mexico XI vs Portugal: Ochoa – Araújo, Moreno, Márquez, Luis Reyes – Vela, Herrera, Guardado, Layún – Chicharito, Peralta
PORTUGAL XI vs Mexico: Patrício – Nélson Semedo, Pepe, Luís Neto, Eliseu – Danilo – Gelson Martins, João Moutinho, Pizzi – André Silva, Nani
We are already underway as Portugal and Mexico fight for third place
Portugal gets a free kick and it has been blocked for a corner kick
Portugal have been the better side after the first seven minutes even without their inspirational captain Cristiano Ronaldo
Mexico have always been slow to settle down into their games at the Confederation Cup, they conceded first in all their games, will that be the same in today’s third place game??
Portugal with a shout for a penalty and they have been given!!
Rafea Marquez of Mexico gets a yellow card
Miss!!! Ochoa makes a big save for Mexico
Portugal have been awful in this tournament as far as penalty kicks are concerned, the team fluffed all three kicks in the semifinal contest against Chile
Chance!! Portugal with another opportunity but Pizzi’s shot is slightly off target
Mexico have the highest passing accuracy in this tournament put at over 86% but that haven’t proven that in this afternoon game
Portugal have only conceded twice in this tournament they almost conceded a third but Hernandez with a thunderbolt forces a great save from Rui Patricio
Ochoa with another save for Mexico as Nelson Somedo takes a good strike from outside for Portugal
Mexico have at least have had a bigger share of possession in the last ten minutes and started to create some chances of their own. Will there be any goal(s) in this first half???
Nani concedes a free kick against Reyes as we gradually approach the half-time mark Portugal 0-0 Mexico
HALF-TIME: Portugal 0- 0 Mexico
The statistics are all in favour of Portugal but no goals to show by the European champions
Kudos to the Portugal and Mexico goalkeepers. They have done well to keep their teams in this game
Mexico with the kick off for second half
CHANCE: Portugal with a fine chance but Sanchez could not turn the ball in
Goal!!!! Mexico in front Hernandez claiming that one!!!
It is an own goal…. This is the first time in this tournament that Mexico is starting a game in front
Hirving LOZANO (in) comes off the bench to replace Oribe PERALTA (out) (Mexico)
Another master-class save from Ochoa … Mexico keep their slim lead intact
Chance for Mexico Vela hits a first-time volley into the side-netting from just inside the box
RICARDO QUARESMA (in) comes off the bench to replace NANI (out) (Portugal)
QUARESMA gradually making his presence felt as he attempts an audacious lob over Ochoa from a tight angle… He doesn’t get it right
Desperate Portugal make another substation as ADRIEN SILVA comes off the bench to replace JOAO MOUTINHO
Also ANDRE GOMES is in for Portugal to replace DANILO
Quaresma flagged offside after receiving a delightful pass from Andre Silva who skillfully plays the ball over the top of the Mexico defence
GOAL!!! PEPE (Portugal) scores!!
The game stretches into extra time after Pepe provided a late equaliser for the European champions
Kick-off! Mexico get extra time underway. we are going all the way in Moscow
Mexico starts the extra time strongly and Lozano with a big chance but he’s denied at point blank range by Patricio.
Mexico duo Hector MORENO and Raul JIMENEZ booked by the referee.
Goal … Portugal in front Penalty Goal by Adrien Silva who sends Ochoa the wrong way and fires
NELSON SEMEDO (Portugal) is booked for the second time and receives a red card!
In the other game between these two sides in the group stage, Mexico came from behind to record a 2-2 draw. They have very limited time to force this game into penalty shoot-outs
Do you know…. ADRIEN SILVA who scored Portugal’s second goal in today’s game has never scored for the team before now. He has 19 caps going into today’s game.
This extra time has been dramatic as Semedo and Jimenez each sent off and Portugal went in front through Adrien Silva’s penalty kick.
Portugal – Mexico is the first EVER match at the World Cup or Confederation Cup in which 2 red cards are given during extra time
Full-time: Portugal 2-1 Mexico
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