Chile, which won the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa Centenario both times on penalty kicks in the final against Argentina, did it again. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo stopped all three shots asChile beat Portugal, 3-0, in the shootout after their Confederations Cup semifinal ended 0-0.
Bravo’s saves on shots by Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani gaveLa Roja the deserved win. In overtime, Arturo Vidal hit the post, then watched as Martin Rodriguez‘s rebound also hit the woodwork. An appeal for a penalty (or VAR review) was deniedafter Alexis Sanchez was taken down by Jose Fonte.
Chile will face the winner of Germany-Mexico in Sunday’s final in St. Petersburg.
“Claudio was amazing andthe penalty takers were amazing and I think we deserve to be in the final,” said Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. “Claudio and the goalkeeping coach had studied the penalty takers.”
Bravo was awesome!
Curious for those who think they know. How do you practice taking PKs in tournament play under something close to game pressure?