Mexico beat hosts Russia 2-1 to reach Confederations Cup semifinals

Hirving Lozano stepped up with a second half header as Mexico fought back from a goal down to beat Russia 2-1 and advance to the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.

Mexico were struggling to make headway in the early stages when the hosts took the lead in the 25th minute. After rattling the post and a mishit shot, Aleksandr Samedov fired a right-footed shot past Guillermo Ochoa to give Russia the lead.

But Mexico warmed to the task, and moments later, Nestor Araujo headed in an Hector Herrera cross following a set-piece to level the score at 1-1.

In the second period, Russia’s high pressing started becoming a taxing task for the hosts, and El Tri took full advantage when Hirving Lozano latched on to a long-ball from Hector Herrera, beating Igor Akinfeev to the run to put the score 2-1 in Mexico’s favor.

El Tri then looked to be cruising when Hector Moreno fired in Mexico’s third, only for the controversial VAR to call the goal back.

With Russia needing two goals to go through, things went from bad to worse when Yuri Zhirkov was sent off for Russia, leaving the hosts down to 10 men.

Thereafter, Mexico pulled several efforts wide, as an exhausted Russia showed a valiant effort but ultimately failed in their task of eliminating Mexico.

The result leaves Mexico second of Group A behind Portugal, and next, El Tri will travel to Sochi, where they will take on the winner of Group B.