Portugal didn’t discover a method by way of the Mexico defence within the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo as Saturday’s worldwide pleasant on the Estadio Azteca ended goalless.
With Ronaldo sidelined as a consequence of a muscle harm, Roberto Martinez chosen Goncalo Ramos to steer the road and he got here closest for Portugal, flicking in opposition to Raul Rangel’s right-hand submit following a stunning go from Bruno Fernandes within the twenty sixth minute.
Ramos additionally completely miscued from one other good Fernandes centre because the groups had been restricted to 1 shot heading in the right direction apiece within the first half.
The interval introduced seven Portugal adjustments, and the Selecao struggled for depth within the second interval, too.
Their finest openings noticed Fernandes shoot off-target from distance and Joao Cancelo nod Diogo Dalot’s looking out cross vast, whereas Pedro Neto labored Rangel from a decent angle.
Maybe the most effective likelihood of the half went Mexico’s method, however Armando Gonzalez despatched a stooping header vast of the close to submit whereas completely unmarked, and lots of of these in attendance booed the groups off at full-time.
Information Debrief: Selecao misfire in Mexico Metropolis
Even with out Ronaldo, Portugal have loads of firepower accessible to them, so Martinez can be bitterly upset that they had been held to only two pictures heading in the right direction.
From 10 complete makes an attempt, the Selecao tallied 1.39 anticipated objectives (xG), 0.57 of which was contributed by Ramos, who was wayward with each of his efforts from good positions.
Mexico had seven pictures, solely hit the goal as soon as and put up a good worse xG determine, of 0.52.