The second match in Group A ended all squad as Mexico held Portugal to a late 2-2 draw at the Kazan Arena on Sunday. El Tri would find their last-gasp equalizer from the head of Hector Moreno to force Portugal to split points on the day.
Cedric Soares' 86th-minute shot was deflected in to put Portugal ahead again, but Hector Moreno snatched a point for the mexicans in the 91st minute.
"In the end the result was fair as Mexico also played well". In previous years his 50-yard run might have taken him through on goal; this time the Mexico defence caught up but his composure in laying the ball off was a reminder of his enduring quality. The first goal was an example of that and showcased a moment of brilliance from Ronaldo. He drew three defenders to him, then squared to a wide open Quaresma, who juked Guillermo Ochoa before scoring.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said his team deserved their point but admitted there was work to be done going forward.
Mexico are stronger and more experienced than that last meeting, but reaching the final will not be easy.
Portugal believed they had grabbed the lead in the 20th minute through Pepe only for the Video Assistant Referee to deem it to have been offside after a brief consultation with the man in the middle. "He's been playing this game for several years, I'm just starting".
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For the first time in a major, the top three players in the world all failed to make the cut. "Everything was in good shape". Now, he's still very much in play, at six under after shooting a 73. "So, it should be a fun weekend".
In a game not always bursting at the seams with quality, there was plenty of entertainment value.
The second half became more defensive as both sides wanted to protect what they had, and Ochoa produced a huge save from substitute Andre Silva, whose header was heading for the bottom corner, only to be brilliantly scooped away one-handed by the Malaga stopper. The exception to that rule was Quaresma, who regularly looked unsafe in the fluid Portuguese forward line.
Both sides opted for a change after 57 minutes, as Giovani Dos Santos replaced Vela, while Gelson Martins came on for Nani.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be eyeing a move back to Manchester United this summer, but first he will attempt to guide Portugal to the 2017 Confederations Cup title. Miguel Layun was given the responsibility of overlapping from full-back.
And after what was a disappointing stalemate for Fernando Santos's side, Quaresma is a player who will be crucial for the European champions for the remainder of the tournament. For Mexico, it is a chance to continue the strong play under coach Javier Hernandez. After a give and go down the right, Hernandez flashed a header towards goal in the 38th minute, but it was straight at Rui Patricio.
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