Confederations Cup: Mexico rallies for win over New Zealand

• by Soccer America , Jun 21, 2017

Making nine lineup changes from the team that tied Portugal, 2-2, in its opening game, Mexico struggled against New Zealand before rallying for a 2-1 win that gave El Tri the Group A lead at the Confederations Cup.

Javier Aquino was the inspiration for second-half goals by Raul Jimenez and Oribe Peralta. An early goal by Cristiano Ronaldo held up for a 1-0 Portugal win over host Russia.

GROUP A, RESULTS:
Saturday, June 17
Russia 2 (own goal 31, Smolov 69) New Zealand 0. Att.: 50,251.
Sunday, June 18
Portugal 2 (Quaresma 34, Cedric 86) Mexico 2 (Hernandez 42, Moreno 90+1). Att.: 34,372.
Wednesday, June 21
Mexico 2 (Jimenez 54, Peralta 72) New Zealand 1 (Wood 42). Att.: 25,000.
Russia 0 Portugal 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 8). Att.: 42,759.
Standings: Mexico, Portugal 4 points; Russia 3; New Zealand 0.

GROUP B, RESULTS:
Sunday, June 18
Chile 2 (Vidal 81, Vargas 90+1) Cameroon 0. Att.: 33,492.
Monday, June 19
Germany 3 (Stindl 5, Drexler pen. 44, Goretzka 48) Australia 2 (Rogic 41, Juric 56). Att.: 23,000.
Standings: Chile, Germany 3 points; Australia, Cameroon 0.

GROUP A, SCHEDULE:
June 24 in Kazan
Mexico vs. Russia
June 24 in St. Petersburg
New Zealand vs. Portugal

GROUP B, SCHEDULE:
June 22 in St. Petersburg
Cameroon vs. Australia
June 22 in Kazan
Germany vs.  Chile
June 25 in Sochi
Germany vs. Cameroon
June 25 in Moscow
Chile  vs. Australia