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SteemSports Presenter: @timoshey

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SteemSports General Manager: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM WitnessPeerPlays Witness & DECENT Miner (Witness)

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Match Overview

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Pepe scored an equalizing goal for Portugal in the last minutes of the injury time against Mexico that forced the game into extra-time and Adrien Silva’s penalty in extra-time was enough to win it for Portugal in a match filled with controversies and without Ronaldo, who left Russia after the loss to Chile to be with his newborn twins.

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With little at stake in the third place match, both coaches chose to give fringe players an opportunity to play in the tournament. Mexico coach, Juan Carlos Osorio made five changes to his starting line-up that surrendered 4-1 to Champions Germany in the Semi-final. Portugal’s Fernando Santos made eight changes to his starting line-up from the loss to Chile in the Semi-final, with Cristiano Ronaldo absent after leaving the squad to spend time with his newborn twins.

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The Mexicans took the lead in the second half thanks to an unfortunate own goal from the Portugal defender, Luis Neto, which came slightly against the run of play as Portugal were enjoying a spell of dominance. But their blushes were spared when former Real Madrid defender, Pepe, rose up and equalized in the first minute of injury time to force the game into extra time.

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Earlier in the first half of the game, AC Milan’s Andre Silva saw his effort from the spot expertly saved by Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. When Portugal was once again given a penalty in extra time, namesake Adrien Silva made no mistake this time, he sent Ochoa the wrong way and the Gold Cup Champions couldn’t find their way back into the game.

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Both teams ended the match with 10-men. Portugal’s right back, Nelson Semedo was sent off 106 minutes, while Mexico’s Raul Jimenez also received his second booking six minutes later. The game ended in a controversial way as Mexico was denied a penalty in the dying minutes when Hector Moreno appeared to have been bundled over in the box. The Mexican head coach, Juan Carlos Osorio was sent to the stands for protesting the referee’s decision not to award a penalty.

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Starting Line-up

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Portugal

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Mexico

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Match Details

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Mexico enjoyed a 59% ball possession against Germany in the semi-final, despite losing that game, 4-1. But they could only settle for a 45% ball possession against the Euro Champions, Portugal. Mexico also managed just 9 shots in the whole game, 1 shot fewer than the shots on target they had against Germany.

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It is safe to say that Mexico played better against Germany, than they did against Portugal. That’s down to the difference in style of play of the Germans and Portuguese. While the Germans will allow you the freedom to play them and attack but make you pay for any slight mistake made with their quick technical defensive counter-attacking play, the Portuguese, on the other hand, thanks to their very rigid midfield and defense do not allow the opposition time and space to play and create chances thus making them see more of the ball than opposites.

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