2017 Confederations Cup: Ronaldo Guides Portugal Into Semis Thrashing New Zealand
Jan 6, 2019 at 3:51 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty as Portugal beat New Zealand 4-0 to seal their semi-final place at the Confederations Cup. It was the Real Madrid superstar’s 75th international goal.
Ronaldo’s 33rd-minute goal was followed by strikes from Manchester City-bound Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva and Nani.
Ronaldo was the creative hub of the team. While he might have got a goal, it was from the spot. However, he was able to stretch play and lay off to either side in order to give colleagues the chance to cross from the right. An easy match was made simple by Ronaldo.
Mexico also progressed to the semi-finals as they knocked hosts Russia out of the tournament with a 2-1 victory.
Portugal ensured top spot in Group A as New Zealand finished bottom after a third straight defeat.
However, defender Pepe will miss Portugal’s semi-final after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament. And there will be fitness concerns over Bernardo Silva, who was substituted at half-time because of an ankle injury.
In the other group, Chile and Germany will both progress to the last four if they avoid defeat on Sunday. Chile face Australia and Germany play Cameroon on Sunday to determine the final standings in Group B.
Key Moments Of The Match
32′ – PENALTY! Danilo goes down as he looks for a cross, he’s sandwiched between two defenders and go down, and the ref awards it.
33′ – GOAL! Portugal 1-0 New Zealand. Ronaldo scores – A confident run-up and Ronaldo blasts his spot-kick up to the right, Marinovic goes left.
38′ – GOAL! Portugal 2-0 New Zealand. Bernardo Silva scores – Eliseu is released down the left, he skips down the wing, into the box, and he squares it for Silva to fire into the net. He lands awkwardly on Doyle, who is booked for his attempted sliding block.
58′ – SMITH CHANCE – New Zealand go close. Doyle slides a cross across the six yard box to the back post. Smith slides a leg out, it’s through Patricio’s legs and it bounces off Alves and away.
80′ – GOAL! Portugal 3-0 New Zealand. Andre Silva scores – A defensive mistake gives Silva the ball on the halfway line. He jogs goalwards, isn’t challenged, and darts past one defender before rifling into the top of the net from a tight angle.
90+1′ – GOAL! Portugal 4-0 New Zeland. Nani scores – Released into the box, Nani performs a couple of stepovers to make some space, and he drills it inside the far post.