PORTUGAL clinched third place in at the Confederations Cup in a dramatic win over Mexico in Moscow.
The Euro 2016 winners were without captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had left the squad to be with his new-born twins.
His absence looked appeared significant after Guillermo Ochoa save Andre Silva‘s first-half penalty.
The newly-acquired AC Milan forward was brought down in the box by Rafael Marquez and the referee had originally waved play on before consulting the VAR system and changing his mind.
The opening 45 minutes finished goalless with Portugal feeling aggrieved they weren’t ahead.
And their frustration intensified when they went a goal down ten minutes into the second half.
Luis Neto — making his first start in the competition — was guilty of an unfortunate deflection as a Javier Hernandez cross bounced off him and went into the back of the net.
The two sides had earlier met in the group stage — with Mexico netting last-gasp leveller to make it 2-2.
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But, on this occasion, it was Portugal who left it late.
With 90 minutes on the clock, Pepe acrobatically fired home to send the clash to extra-time.
Portugal were given the chance to take the lead a minute before half-time when they were awarded a second penalty, with Adrien Silva stepping up on this occasion.
And the Sporting Lisbon made no mistake.
Manchester United and Barcelona target Nelson Semedo was given his marching orders immediately after the interval when he was booked for a high boot.
But Mexico were also reduced to ten men six minutes later as Raul Jimenez picked up a second booking for fouling Eliseu.
The Central Americans sent goalkeeper Ochoa forward for a late free-kick, but couldn’t find another equaliser.
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