Cristiano Ronaldo notched up his 75th worldwide goal as Portugal turned on the style to beat New Zealand 4-0 and top Group A.
In the end, only one achieved their aim, Portugal easing through to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup while New Zealand's wait for a win at this tournament stretched to a 12th match.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, is challenged by New Zealand's Michael Boxall during the Confederations Cup, Group A soccer match between New Zealand and Portugal, at the St. Petersburg Stadium, Russia, Saturday, June 24.
"It was an odd game - we were in control, but they started creating problems, and if it had got back to 2-1, it could have got complicated", said Portugal coach Fernando Santos. That puts Portugal on top of Group A and Mexico in second, both through and 180 minutes from winning the tournament.
The European champions finish ahead of Mexico to set up a meeting with the runners up of Group B in Kazan on Wednesday.
Although Mexico dragged themselves back into the game and scraped the win due to goals from Raul Jimenez and Oribe Peralta, the Kiwis nearly leveled when midfielder Ryan Thomas rattled the crossbar in the closing stages.
Portugal striker Christiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the European champions with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute.
Portugal will now be joined in the semi-final by Mexico - while hosts Russian Federation got dumped out of the tournament on home soil.
Ward ends close bout with flurry of blows
According to CompuBox, Ward outlanded Kovalev 80-74 in total punches over that span while landing 39 percent of his punches. The rematch was booked nearly immediately with a lot of bad blood being shared between the two boxers going into the fight.
His loudest ovation was for applauding back to the crowd when substituted midway through the second half.
Andre Silva added a third on 80 minutes before Nani completed the rout in stoppage time to ensure Portugal finished above Mexico on goal difference.
"We are building a team which has the skills and determintion to play against any team".
Portugal's offensive decisiveness should propel them to an easy victory against outmatched New Zealand.
All White coach Anthony Hudson was pleased with the way his team had worked, and said there were plenty of positive to take from the game. "We will be at a disadvantage if we enter the game with this mentality".
If they go through, they will then face the fifth-placed team in the CONMEBOL confederation, which is now Argentina and a certain Lionel Messi, for a place back in Russian Federation in 12 months' time.
New Zealand nearly pulled a goal back on the hour when Doyle's ball across the face of goal from the left found Wood at the far post, but Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio recovered to make a sliding block on the line.
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