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Portugal and Cedric Soares reach Confederations Cup semi-final

By Chris Hughes

KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 18: Cedric of Portugal celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his Portugal team mates during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Portugal and Mexico at Kazan Arena on June 18, 2017 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 18: Cedric of Portugal celebrates scoring his sides second goal with his Portugal team mates during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Portugal and Mexico at Kazan Arena on June 18, 2017 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
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Southampton will have a representative in this year’s last four of the Confederations Cup, as Portugal beat New Zealand 4-0.

Despite not featuring due to being dropped for Benfica’s Nelsen Semedo, Cedric Soares and his Portugal side have reached the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

Qualifying due to their victory in last summer’s European Championship, Portugal will finish as the winners of their group, thanks to seven points out of a possible nine from the three games played.

Cedric was dropped for the first time for the highly-rated Nelsen Semedo, having previously featured as first choice for his national side.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 75th international goal to opening the scoring, before new Manchester City man Bernardo Silva doubled his side’s lead a few minutes later.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 21: Cedric of Portugal attempts to shoot while he is closed down by the Russia defence during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Russia and Portugal at Spartak Stadium on June 21, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 21: Cedric of Portugal attempts to shoot while he is closed down by the Russia defence during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group A match between Russia and Portugal at Spartak Stadium on June 21, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /

Portugal ran away as the victors in the second half, with two more goals late on. Newly-signed AC Milan striker Andre Silva scored with ten minutes to play, before the experienced Nani added a fourth late on.

It means that the current European Champions have kept clean sheets in consecutive games, the first time that has been done this competition.

With one game to play in Group B the door is open for just about any team to face Portugal in the next round, in which they will take on the runner up of said group.

Both Germany and Chile currently sit on four points and are favourites to qualify, but Cameroon or Australia could both have an outside shot if they win their respective games tomorrow.

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