So Russia has shown it can put on a football tournament, but its team hasn’t given the slightest glimmer of hope that it can win one.
It’s not a great surprise, and betting tips widely predicted the outcome of today’s Confederations Cup matches. Russia’s players would be going home if they weren’t already there! Mexico beat the hosts to qualify for the semi-finals, and Portugal saw off New Zealand with some ease in the final two Group A football games.
Mexico 2-1 Russia
In a tense first half at the Kazan Stadium, home fans’ hopes were lifted on 29 minutes when Russia scored to put themselves in a qualifying position. Persistence paid off after Fedor Smolov hit the post and Aleksandr Samedov eventually scored at the second attempt. But the lead lasted just a minute before Mexico defender Nestor Araujo rose highest to loop a header into the Russian net.
As Russia tried to fight back in the second half a freak of a goal broke their hearts on 52 minutes. When a huge clearance bounced towards the Russian penalty area Hirving Lozano lobbed over the keeper to score the most route one goal you’ll ever see.
The Russia fans found their voices in a passionate attempt to lift their heroes but when Yury Zhirkov was sent off for a second yellow it all went quiet again.
New Zealand 0-4 Portugal
Portugal’s emphatic win takes them through to the last four as group winners and the top man was in on the act again. Cristiano Ronaldo crashed the bar with a header minutes before putting the Portuguese ahead from the penalty spot. And before half time, Manchester City new boy Bernardo Silva struck to make it 2-0. Milan signing Andre Silva brought a fantastic goal from Stefan Marinovic mid way through the second half, but then beat the All Whites keeper with an individual effort with ten minutes to go. Nani made it four with a clinical finish in injury time.
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