Brilliant Bravo pops Portugal

Shootout shutout sends Chile into Confed Cup final

KAZAN, Russia - Claudio Bravo was Chile's hero on Wednesday as it beat Portugal 3-0 in a penalty shootout in the Confederations Cup semifinals.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, frequently the target of criticism from his own Manchester City fans last season, saved all three penalties from Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani, while Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and Alexis Sanchez nailed their spot-kicks for the South Americans.

"We are satisfied with the result and how we played, but we have still not won anything," warned Bravo, who was Barcelona's first-choice stopper in the 2014-15 season.

Chile progresses to Sunday's final in St Petersburg to face either Mexico or Germany, who meet on Thursday in Sochi in the other semifinal.

"I'm very proud of this team. Claudio pulled off some good saves to keep us in the game," said Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.

"He had the ability to foresee where their players would put their kicks. Now it doesn't matter who we get, we just need to recover for the final."

Loser Portugal will contest Sunday's third-place playoff in Moscow.

Chile almost settled Wednesday's match in the dying stages of extra time when both Vidal and substitute Martin Rodriguez hit the woodwork as the Portuguese hung on by the skin of their teeth.

The defeat in Kazan will be bitterly disappointing for Portugal's superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid star, who is facing doubts about his future in Spain as he prepares to answer allegations of tax evasion in a Madrid court next month, had won man-of-the-match awards in all three group matches.

Before kickoff in Kazan, new Manchester City signing Bernardo Silva shook off a foot injury he sustained in the 4-0 drubbing of New Zealand to make Portugal's starting XI.

With Pepe suspended, Jose Fonte partnered Bruno Alves at centerback.

AC Milan's 21-year-old striker Andre Silva partnered with Ronaldo in attack, but the pair were frustrated by Chile's resolute defense.

Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi went with the same lineup that drew 1-1 with Germany last Thursday as centerback Gary Medel and midfielder Aranguiz were declared fit.

With just six minutes gone, Arsenal star Sanchez teed up Eduardo Vargas, but Portugal keeper Rui Patricio blocked the latter's shot.

At the other end, Bravo smothered an Andre Silva effort from a low Ronaldo cross.

Aranguiz twice went close in the opening half and it was end-to-end fare again after the break.

Patricio denied Vargas again, while Ronaldo fired at Bravo following a swift Portugal counter-attack.

Bayern Munich midfielder Vidal blasted high and wide from long range.

Ronaldo pinged a freekick just over and had a shot blocked as both sides relentlessly attacked in vain, before the extras also failed to produce a winner.

Agence France-presse