Confederations Cup | Portugal hold Mexico to a 2-2 draw while Chile beat Cameroon

06/19/2017

A stoppage-time header from Hector Moreno helped Mexico eke out a 2-2 draw after they had gifted an own goal and a likely win to Portugal in the Confederations Cup. Chile won the other encounter thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal, with an 81st-minute header, and a late goal from Edu Vargas.

Yesterday, Mexico began its Confederations Cup run with an eventful 2-2 draw against Portugal. Ricardo Quaresma had put the European champions ahead, but Javier Hernandez leveled just before half-time.

Portugal had earlier been denied the opener after Nani converted from a rebound when Ronaldo’s volley had rattled the crossbar. But the referee consulted with the video official, who noticed that four Portuguese players had been offside in the passage of play before Ronaldo’s shot.

Southampton full-back Cedric Soares gave Portugal the lead with four minutes left when his drilled effort looped in off Moreno. But the Mexican defender climbed highest to power home a header from a corner in added time and snatched a point for the Central Americans.

In an opening Group B match, Chile beat Cameroon by 2-0 thanks to goals from Edu Vargas and Arturo Vidal. Cameroon were the first to find the net during the first half but a foul by Aboubakar Vincent annulled the goal. Chile also lost a goal in a controversial decision when Eduardo Vargas slotted past Fabrice Ondoa. The goal was sent for video review even as Chile's players had begun celebrating after the referee had seemed to have awarded the goal. The review, however, found Vargas offside by a matter of inches, and the first half, which was almost controlled entirely by Chile ended goal-less.

Cameroon took over during the early parts of the second half, but Chile stood their ground and were rewarded when Arturo Vidal put them ahead in the 80th minute. Chile made it 2-0 when Alexis Sanchez, who came in as a second-half substitute, ran onto the ball to see his shot on goal saved by Ondoa. But, Vargas was at hand to turn the rebound in and give the Chileans their second goal.

Confederations Cup | Portugal hold Mexico to a 2-2 draw while Chile beat Cameroon

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