Portugal claims 3rd in Confederations Cup with extra-time win over Mexico

Portugal has finished third in the FIFA Confederations Cup after defeating Mexico 2-1 at Spartak Stadium on Sunday by way of an extra time Adrien Silva penalty goal scored at the 104-minute mark.

With no Cristiano Ronaldo to rely on, Fernando Santos' side dug deep to muster a come-from-behind win over El Tri, who went up 1-0 in the second half of play courtesy of a fortuitous own goal. Javier Hernandez found himself at the touchline, and instead of delivering a cross, struck toward defender Luis Neto, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and watched in horror as the ball deflected off him into his own net.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saved a first-half Andre Silva penalty, and his heroics between the posts kept an overwhelming Portugal off the score sheet through the regular 90 minutes. But, Pepe would not go without a fight - the star of Euro 2016 scored a dramatic 92nd-minute karate-kick goal befitting his compatriot Ronaldo, leveling the score at 1-1.

The match went into extra time, where Portugal took the lead from a penalty awarded when Miguel Layun blocked a shot with his arm in the box. Adrien Silva stepped up and scored his first Portugal goal.

The late drama didn't end there, however, as both Nelson Semedo and Raul Jimenez saw second yellow cards in separate incidents in the second half of extra time. With both teams reduced to 10 men, Mexico tried to find a leveling goal of its own, and felt a last-minute shove by Pepe warranted a penalty. The referee refused to confer with his video-assisted colleague, prompting an outburst of anger by Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio, who was ejected as a result.

In the end, Portugal hung on to secure the win and add a third-place medal to its recent accolades.