KAZAN, Russia — Mexico forward Hirving Lozano took advantage of an awful mix-up in the Russian defense to score an extraordinary goal which gave his side a 2-1 win and knocked the Confederations Cup host out of the tournament Saturday.
Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev completely mis-read the situation after Hector Herrera sent a looping clearance 80 meters downfield from the edge of the Mexican area seven minutes into the second half.
The ball bounced once about 25 meters from the Russian goal and, as Akinfeev and his defense dallied, Lozano nipped in to head the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area to send the CONCACAF champion into the semifinals.
Russia had raised the hopes of its fans by taking a first-half lead through Alexander Samedov but was quickly pegged back by Nestor Araujo's equalizer on the half hour.
Russia's early exit from was another setback for next year's World Cup host which also went out of last year's European Championship at the group stage, when it failed to win a game and was regarded by many as the worst team in the tournament.
Russia's afternoon was completed in the 68th minute after Yury Zhirkov was sent off for elbowing and it was only saved further embarrassment by the video assistant referee who disallowed a third Mexican goal for offside.
The video replay was also used in the 17th minute after Russian forward Fedor Smolov went down in the box after he appeared to come into contact with Araujo but the referee ruled against a penalty.
Ronaldo scores
Cristiano Ronaldo's 75th international goal helped lift Portugal to an easy 4-0 win over New Zealand and into the semifinals.
Ronaldo scored off a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, four minutes before Bernardo Silva slipped a shot into an unguarded goal.
Andre Silva dribbled deep into the New Zealand penalty area to score with a rising shot in the 80th and substitute Nani shot low past goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic in stoppage time.
Portugal finished top of Group A on goal difference ahead of Mexico.
European champion Portugal outclassed a typically robust New Zealand team which extended its winless Confederations Cup run to 12 games across four editions.
Ronaldo was denied three times with headers by New Zealand's impressive goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, who made eight saves and used his big body to block second-half shots by Andre Silva and substitute Nani.
In the semifinals, Portugal will play Wednesday in Kazan against the runner-up in Group B, which is currently Germany before the final group games Sunday. — Reuters
