Portugal saw off New Zealand 4-0 to win Group A and progress to the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 semi-finals, in front of 56,290 fans in Saint Petersburg.
Cristiano Ronaldo, with rumours abound of him being rested ahead of the game, started and was Portugal’s protagonist once more. He hit the crossbar with a header before converting a first-half penalty after Danilo had been felled by Tommy Smith.
Despite a bright start, Anthony Hudson’s side then conceded again within five minutes, with new Manchester City man Bernardo Silva converting Eliseu’s cross after the left-back’s purposeful run.
Fernando Santos’s side stood up well to some concerted pressure from the All Whites after the break, with Andre Silva and Nani’s first goals of Russia 2017, the latter coming in stoppage time, serving to rubberstamp all three points. Topping the group means Portugal will face the runners-up of Group B in Kazan on Wednesday 28 June.
FIFA.COM