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Confederations Cup: Bravo the hero as Chile reach final

June 28, 2017

Chile have reached the final of the Confederations Cup after a stunning shootout performance from goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. He saved all three of Portugal's penalties after the sides were locked at 0-0 after extra time.

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Russland FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 - Portugal v Chile
Image: Reuters/C. Recine

Portugal 0-0 Chile (Chile win 3-0 on penalties)

Claudio Bravo was the unlikely hero as he saved all three of Portugal's penalties in the shootout to send Chile into the final of the Confederations Cup.

The Manchester City goalkeeper has had a turbulent season since moving to the Premier League from Barcelona, but he showed his quality by saving penalties from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani after a goalless 120 minutes between the sides.

The Confederations Cup may get some flak, but this was a bonafide heavyweight clash between two of the world's best sides, featuring the first choice players available to each side. While Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva, Chile boast Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal.

The game started with a bang. Both sides spurned clear chances that they will feel they should have put away; first Eduardo Vargas was put clean through by Sanchez, but Rui Patricio denied him. Moments later, Bravo was forced into a save from Andre Silva, who who have scored at the far post after Ronaldo crafted the chance with a devilish pass that cut open the Chilean defence.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz had two chances as Chile edged the first half, but his glancing header and sliced shot both missed and allowed the European champions to breathe again.

Russland FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 - Portugal v Chile
Claudio Bravo saved from Quaresma, Moutinho and Nani - all three takers were substitutes.Image: Reuters/C. Recine

After a goalless first half, Chile looked to put their noses in front. Vidal was unable to keep two efforts from flying over the bar, the first of which was a free header from which he should really have done better. Like in the first half, Chile's best chance of the second period fell to Vargas. But this time it was a fantastic overhead kick that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for Rui Patricio to claw it away with an equally fine save.

The game became increasingly turgid as neither side wanted to risk losing it as full-time approached, so an extra 30 minutes was required. Portugal have developed a reputation of being very difficult to break down, but Chile had the best of the additional period.

With the game approaching penalties, Chile pushed hardest and should have been given a penalty when substitute Silva darted into the box and was clearly tripped by Jose Fonte, but the referee incorrectly waved it away, even with VAR technology at his disposal in this tournament.

Chile went even closer in the dying stages when Vidl's shot spun away towards the post and Rodriguez somehow stabbed the rebound against the bar, before Rui Patricio threw himself at the ball and clung onto it, disbelieving that Portugal had survived.

But Chile kept their nerve in the shootout, with Bravo earning himself cult status with a superb treble save and sending his team into Sunday's final against Germany or Mexico.