Portugal vs Mexico – Confederations Cup – Preview

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Sreya

Portugal vs Mexico – Portugal faces Mexico at the Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow on 2nd July, Sunday in the third-place playoff of the Confederations Cup.

Portugal lost to Chile on penalty shootout after a goalless draw during which none of Portugal’s first three penalty takers managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a disappointing end to the Confed Cup for the 2016 UEFA Euro winners.

Mexico, meanwhile, lost 4-1 to Germany in the other semi-final.

Team News

Cristiano Ronaldo has been granted leave while Raphael Guerreiro is injured for Portugal. Mexico will be without the injured Carlos Salcedo but Andres Guardado returns from suspension.

Portugal Possible Starting Lineup: Beto, Nelsinho, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Eliseu, Bernardo Silva, Danilo Perreira, Pizzi, Ricardo Quaresma, Andre Silva, Nani.

Mexico Possible Starting Lineup: Guillermo Ochoa, Diego Reyes, Nestor Araujo, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Jonathan dos Santos, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Carlos Vela, Chicharito, Hirving Lozano.

“I know about the criticism and am fine with it. If there is criticism relating to the team … it was this team that gave Portuguese football one of its greatest achievements, if not its biggest, at national team level.”

– Fernando Santos, Portugal.

“It is a new opportunity to play against the European champion. We need to play this type of game. At some point, Mexico is going to make that step.”

– Juan Carlos Osorio, Mexico.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Portugal vs Mexico H2H Stats, Portugal have won two and drawn only one of their three previous meetings with Mexico.

Fernando Santos will ring in the changes, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo going on a holiday to spend time with his newborn. Osorio, on the other hand, is under tremendous pressure to put up a positive result for Mexico for he has been criticized heavily for his tactics by former players as well as fans back home.

A 1-0 win for Portugal is the most likely result.