Mexico, Portugal cruise into semifinals
KAZAN (Reuters) – Mexico winger Hirving Lozano took advantage of an awful mix-up in the Russian defense to score an extraordinary goal which gave his side a 2-1 win and knocked the Confederations Cup host out of the tournament on Saturday, while European champion Portugal comfortably dispatched New Zealand 4-0 to reach the semifinals after Cristiano Ronaldo set his side on its way with a penalty. Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev completely misread the situation after Hector Herrera sent a looping clearance 80 meters downfield from the edge of the Mexican area seven minutes into the second half.
The ball bounced once about 25 meters from the Russian goal and, as Akinfeev and his defense dallied, Lozano bravely nipped in to head the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area to send the CONCACAF champions into the semifinals.
Russia had raised the hopes of their fans by taking a first-half lead through Alexander Samedov but were quickly pegged back by Nestor Araujo’s equalizer on the half hour.
Russia’s early exit from was another setback for next year’s World Cup host, which also went out of last year’s European Championship at the group stage, when it failed to win a game and was regarded by many as the worst team in the tournament.
Russia’s afternoon was completed in the 68th minute after Yury Zhirkov was sent off for elbowing and it was only saved further embarrassment by the video assistant referee who disallowed a third Mexican goal for offside.
The video replay was also used in the 17th minute after Russian forward Fedor Smolov went down in the box after he appeared to come into contact with Araujo, but the referee ruled against a penalty.
Mexico dominated possession early on but Russia went ahead fortuitously when Samedov beat goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa just inside the far post after Mexico had failed to clear a header and midfielder Aleksandr Erokhin missed the ball as he was trying to shoot.
Mexico defender Nestor Araujo equalized in the 30th minute with a looping header.
The crowd seemed to sense that Russia had missed its chance and Lozano’s freak equalizer confirmed the fans’ worst fears.
Mexico finished second in Group A on seven points, behind Portugal on goal difference. Russia was third with three.
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchisov, a former national team goalkeeper, backed Akinfeev.
“Every goalkeeper is entitled to commit mistakes and it is something you have to live with,” he told reporters. “Life will go on, this is sport and I am convinced he will remain on the national team and make his fans happy.
“Passions are running high so it’s not the time to come to any conclusions,” he added.
In St. Petersburg, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Ronaldo swept the ball home in the 33rd minute, his 75th goal for his country, and Bernardo Silva added the second four minutes later.
A solo effort from Andre Silva, his eighth goal in 11 appearances, in the 80th minute and a stoppage-time goal from substitute Nani completed the scoring.
It was a typically efficient performance from Portugal, which never looked in danger despite a sluggish start.
However, it was not all good news as Bernardo Silva went off injured at halftime while a needless and reckless challenge from Pepe ruled the controversial central defender out of Wednesday’s semifinal.
Oceania champion New Zealand was far from disgraced, but has now completed four participations in the tournament without winning a game and has an overall record of 11 defeats and a draw in 12 matches.