2017 FIFA Confederations Cup: Mexico Knock Out Hosts Russia 1

Mexico reached the semifinal of 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup as Group A runner-up after securing a 2-1 victory against 10-man hosts Russia in their last group match. Russia took a 1-0 lead on 25 minutes thanks to a Aleksandr Samedov finish which was replied by Nestor Araujo and Hirving Lozano in the 30th minute and 52nd minute respectively.

Russia’s Yuri Zhirkov was sent off on 68 minutes after getting two yellow cards in the match.

Mexico made seven changes in their starting XI from their last match against New Zealand while the hosts made two changes in their first XI from their last outing against Portugal.

Russia began with the attacking mindset as they were pressurising consistently in the Mexican half. There were two huge appeals for the penalty from the Russian side which were ultimately denied by the match officials.

On the other hand, Mexico was looking little sloppy in their defence; especially in the opening periods. However, their attacks were kept similarly threatening in the Russian half.

After an unfortunate woodwork, Russia finally broke the deadlock in the 25 minutes through the Samedov’s finish.

However, Mexico took only 5 minutes to equalise the scoreline as Araujo scored that with a header.

At the very beginning of the second half, Samedov once again netted a ball but that was ruled out due to his earlier offside.

Mexico took the lead on the scoreline by 2-1 on 52 minutes with the Lozano’s clinical headed finish.

On an hour mark, Hector Moreno’s goal was also disallowed by the referee after using the VAR, which showed that Moreno was just in offside position.

Both the teams were working very hard to find another net while Russia got a huge blow with a red card. After getting a yellow card in 9 minute, Zhirkov got the second yellow card in the 68th minutes due to an unnecessary foul. That blow shattered the last hope for Russia in the match, as Mexico won that crucial encounter by 2-1.

Despite having the equal no.of points with Portugal, Mexico ended behind in the goal difference. It means Portugal qualified for the semifinal as a Group A champion while Mexico booked their semi-final place as a Group A runner-up.

Key Moments of the match

6 min. – Jonathan dos Santos disappointed reaction in front of goal: It was a great chance for Mexico. Jonathan dos Santos earned a ball in the front of goal who had just to beat the Russian goalie Igor Akinfeev. But Jonathan disappointed very much with his late reaction as Yuri Zhirkov got a chance to clear the ball. However, Zhirkov responded very well as he made a superb diving clearance to deny any danger.

 

19 min. – VAR declares no penalty for Russia: Second penalty appeal for Russia. It was looking like a collision between Smolov and a Mexican defender, but after taking the help from VAR referee decided to carry on the match without giving a penalty to Russia.

 

23 min. – The woodwork of Fedor Smolov shot: Fedor Smolov created a great long-range shot which unfortunately hit the post. In the return chance, Glushakov attempted with a low shot from outside the box which was found in Guillermo Ochoa’s hands.

 

25 min. – GOAL! (Aleksandr Samedov) Mexico 0-1 Russia: Golovin produced a great cross from the left flank which found Alexandr Erokhin. Erokhin’s first attempt was totally mishit after which he made a pass for Samedov. Samedov’s first touch found the net which gave a 1-0 lead for Russia.

 

30 min. – Akinfeev saved Guardado’s set-piece: Guardado produced a good shot on target from the 25-yard distance free-kick which was brilliantly saved by Igor Akinfeev.

 

30 min. – GOAL! (Nestor Araujo) Mexico 1-1 Russia: Hector Herrera rose a long pass inside the box, on which Araujo was able to make a perfect contact with his head as the delivery beat Akinfeev and crossed the goal-line.

 

33 min. – Erokhin awful finish: Smolov produced a great ball for Erokhin who made an awful finish as his near the box shot went over the post.

 

46 min. – Smolov failed to make a perfect contact: Golovin produced a great cross for Smolov who failed to reply with a perfect shot as his weak touch went off target.

 

48 min. – Samedov was Offside; so goal disallowed: Smolov raised a through ball for Samedov who netted successfully but he was found correctly offside by the linesman during Smolov’s delivery time, as a result, the goal was ruled out.

 

52 min. – GOAL! (Hirving Lozano) Mexico 2-1 Russia: It was a huge mistake from Akinfeev. A huge long clearance by Herrera from the Mexican half to the almost Russian box found Lozano who made a touch with his head to stretch that into the goal. But on the other hand, Akinfeev tried to charge on that delivery but completely mistimed on it as that allowed a goal for Mexico.

 

60 min. – VAR disallowed Hector Moreno’s score: Guardado produced a through ball for Hector Moreno who beat Akinfeev and netted successfully. But the referee took the help of VAR which found Moreno was offside. So, this goal was too disallowed.

 

68 min. – Red Card (Yuri Zhirkov): A big moment of the match. Zhirkov, who had already a yellow card in this match, made a bad foul which forced him to send off. He unnecessarily elbowed Layun, for which the referee showed him the second yellow card and instantly showed the red card as a result.

 

73 min. – Smolnikov missed a great chance: Substitute Igor Smolnikov had a great chance to equalise the scoreline for the 10-man Russian team. Poloz sent a cross for Smolnikov whose close-range volley went over the post.

 

Squads

Mexico (Starting formation 4-3-3): Guillermo Ochoa – Hector Moreno, Nestor Araujo, Miguel Layun, Diego Reyes (Luis Reyes; 39 min.) – Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado (Oswaldo Alanis; 70 min.), Jonathan dos Santos – Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela (Javier Aquino; 45 min.), Hirving Lozano

 

Russia (Starting formation 5-3-2): Igor Akinfeev – Viktor Vasin, Fyodor Kudryashov, Giorgi Dzhikiya, Yuri Zhirkov, Aleksandr Samedov – Denis Glushakov, Aleksandr Golovin, Alexandr Erokhin (Igor Smolnikov; 70 min.) – Aleksandr Bukharov (Dmitriy Poloz; 64 min.), Fedor Smolov (Maksim Kanunnikov; 78 min.)