[Match Report] Russia 0-1 Portugal + Highlights

Portugal went top of Group A at the
Confederations Cup following a 1-0 win over
Russia on Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo making
the difference for the European champions.
The Real Madrid star found the net after just eight
minutes, beating goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a
strong header from close range, and Stanislav
Cherchesov's side were unable to find a response.
Russia were high on confidence following their
2-0 win over New Zealand, whereas morale was
somewhat low in the Portugal camp after they
conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with
Mexico.
It was all Portugal in Moscow, though, and
Ronaldo eventually led his side to victory amid a
tumultuous personal period off the pitch. The 32-
year-old has been linked with a move away from
Madrid following scrutiny over his tax affairs in
Spain.
Fernando Santos' men now meet New Zealand on
Saturday in their final game of the group stage,
while Russia face Mexico on matchday three.
Portugal made an encouraging start to the game
and went a goal up in the ninth minute via
Ronaldo, the Real Madrid star escaping the
attention of Fedor Kudriashov at the far post
before heading home from close range following a
fine cross from Raphael Guerreiro.
Ronaldo continued to cause the Russian defence
all kinds of trouble in the opening stages and he
was unfortunate not to double Portugal's lead at
the half-hour mark, Akinfeev pulling off a superb
save to deny the forward from six yards out after
a rapid counterattack.
The hosts first threatened late in the first half
when Aleksandr Golovin reached Fedor Smolov
with a low cross from the right, only for the
Krasnodar star to aim his left-footed effort well
wide of the Portugal goal.
New AC Milan signing Andre Silva could have
added his name to the score sheet shortly after
the break when he beat his marker to Cedric
Soares' cross from the right, but Akinfeev
miraculously kept out the striker's header with a
stunning reflex save to keep Russia's hopes alive.
Portugal kept on pushing for a second and
Ronaldo should perhaps have doubled his tally
after being set up by Andre Gomes at the hour
mark, mistiming his header and sending the ball
well wide of the target instead, before he wildly
blasted a shot over the crossbar minutes later as
the game started to open up.
It mattered little in the end, though, as Russia
lacked the individual quality to really worry
Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio, the Seleccao
seeing out a flurry of late pressure without any
noteworthy problems.
Credit: Goal.com