Portugal thrashes New Zealand, reaches Confederations Cup semifinals

Portugal coasted to a 4-0 win over New Zealand in St Petersburg to secure their place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

The win, however, came at a cost as Manchester City-bound midfielder Bernardo Silva was substituted because of an ankle injury.

With hosts Russia losing against Mexico in Kazan, Portugal progressed as Group A winners, while the All Whites finished bottom following a third straight defeat.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead from the penalty spot on 33 minutes.

Bernardo Silva swiftly doubled the lead with a close-range finish, but landed awkwardly on his ankle and was taken off at half-time.

Andre Silva wrapped up a comfortable victory with a fierce angled finish on 80 minutes, and Nani added a fourth in stoppage time.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after opening the scoring. Buda Mendes/Getty Images

New Zealand had made a positive opening, with Leeds forward Chris Wood seeing his shot saved.

But Ronaldo soon rattled the crossbar before Ipswich defender Tommy Smith bundled over Danilo Pereira following a corner and the Real Madrid forward scored the penalty.

It was his 75th goal for Portugal, bringing him level with Sandor Kocsis in second place on the list of Europe’s highest international goal scorers.

Bernardo Silva struck three minutes later, but New Zealand almost pulled a goal back on the hour when Tom Doyle’s ball across the face of goal saw Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio block from Wood.

Portugal put the outcome beyond doubt when Andre Silva darted into the right of the penalty area and crashed the ball into the top corner, with Nani adding the fourth in the final seconds.